Research Projects

Understanding Substance Use

Alongside colleagues nationally and internationally, Niki researches broad and nuanced experiences of substances, including those that are non-problematic and beneficial.

Often people think that substance USE means substance ABUSE, but this study takes a different approach.

The term “substance” includes:

Legal substances (e.g. caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, over-the-counter medications)
Prescription medication (e.g. oxycodone, Adderall, steroids)
Illegal drugs (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, MDMA)
Healing plants or medicines (e.g. san pedro, ketamine)

Impact may be:

Desired
- Caffeine to focus at a meeting
- Pain medication to manage a headache and engage in childcare
- Alcohol to feel relaxed after a stressful event
- Stimulants (e.g. Adderall, cocaine) to improve productivity
Undesired
- Hangover that interferes in morning activities
- Caffeine impairing sleep
- Withdrawal

People use substances for various reasons, such as:

Enjoyment
Improving performance of certain activities
Altering experiences
Socializing with others
Healing or spiritual practice

Since many substances are illegal, people are often unable to share their experiences or opinions. We invite the voices and perspectives of Canadians who use substances to confidentially share their perspectives and experiences.

i) Substance use by professionals

Niki’s research team sought to understand substance use by professionals and students in professional programs. Whereas the majority of substance use research focuses on experiences by people identified with having a substance use disorder or problematic substance use, the team’s research seeks to understand substance use among the general population. This project uncovered substance use that is largely controlled, leading to enhanced mood, cognitive performance, and quality of experiences.

ii) Photographic representations

The purpose of our newest project is to explore factors that promote and influence substance use through images and interviews. We aim to understand how do substances (legal, illegal, and prescribed) fit into peoples’ perceptions of what constitutes a good life (e.g., enhance or impede their ability to live a good life).

Kiepek, N., Ausman, C., Murphy, A., Brothers, T. (2023) Socially situated experiences of substance use: A photo elicitation pilot study. SAGE Open.

Kiepek, N., & Ausman, C. (2023). “You are you, but you are also your profession”: Nebulous boundaries of personal substance use. Contemporary Drug Problems, 50(1), 63–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914509221132301

Kiepek, N., Ausman, C. Beagan, B., & Patten, S. (2022) “A reward for surviving the day”: Women professionals’ experiences of substance use in comparison to men. Performance Enhancement & Health, 10(2), 100200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2022.100220

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Kiepek, N., Ausman, C., Beagan, B., & Patten, S. (2022). Substance use and meaning: Transforming occupational participation and experience. Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy / Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 30, e3037. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoAO23023037

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Kiepek, N., Beagan, B., & Phelan, S. (2019, Nov). Enhancing occupation through use of substances: A critical interpretative synthesis. Brazilian Journal of Occupational Therapy / Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 27(4), 843-857. doi: 10.4322/2526-8910.ctoar1926

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Gish, A. Kiepek, N., & Beagan, B. (2019, July). Methamphetamine use among gay men: An interpretive review of a non-sanctioned occupation. Journal of Occupational Science, 27(1), 26-38. doi: 10.1080/14427591.2019.1643398

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Sy, M., Bontje, P., Ohshima, N., & Kiepek, N. (2019, July). Articulating the form, function, and meaning of drug using in the Philippines from the lens of morality and work ethics. Journal of Occupational Science, 27(1), 12-21. doi: 10.1080/14427591.2019.1644662

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Kiepek, N., Van der Ven, K., Forlini, C., & Dunn, M. (2019, July). Seeking legitimacy for broad understandings of substance use. International Journal of Drug Policy, 73, 58-63. doi: 1016/j.drugpo.2019.07.014

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Kiepek, N., Harris, J., Beagan, B., & Buchanan, M. (2019, June). Substance use by social workers and implications for professional regulation. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 19(2), 147-159. doi: 10.1108/DAT-08-2018-0040

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Kiepek, N., Beagan, B., & Harris, J. (2018, Mar). A pilot study to explore the effects of substances on cognition, mood, performance, and experience of daily activities. Performance Enhancement and Health, 6(1), 3-11. doi: 10.1016/j.peh.2018.02.003

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Kiepek, N. & Beagan, B. (2018, Jan). Substance use and professional identity. Contemporary Drug Problems, 45(1), 47-66. doi: 10.1177/0091450917748982

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Kiepek, N., & Baron, J.-L. (2017, Sept). Use of substances among professionals and students of professional programs: A review of the literature. Drugs: Education, Intervention, and Policy, 26(1), 1-26. doi: 10.1080/09687637.2017.1375080

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Kiepek, N., & Magalhães, L. (2016, Oct). Exploring legitimacy and authority in the construction of truth regarding personal experiences of drug use. Addiction Research & Therapy, 7(2), 1-10. doi:10.4172/2155-6105.1000273