INTRODUCTION:
Research involving individuals who use psychoactive substances (PS) has emphasized the challenges, risks, and harms associated with substance use. These deficit-based approaches contribute to social and internalized stigma, reinforce stereotypes, and shape narrow understandings of the lived realities of PS users. They also influence intervention practices by framing individuals primarily through their needs, which may centralize professional expertise while reducing agency among service users. As a result, trust in addiction and harm-reduction services can be weakened, affecting engagement and accessibility. While scientific literature increasingly highlights the relevance of strengths-based approaches, their application within addiction research remains limited.

METHODS:
This presentation draws on a synthesis informed by previous empirical studies conducted with young and adult PS users. Using examples from qualitative and participatory research, we analyze how strengths-based principles can be mobilized throughout the research process. The analysis adopts a process-oriented lens, examining each research stage—conceptualization, design, data collection, analysis, and dissemination—to identify opportunities to integrate perspectives centered on capacities, agency, and resilience.

RESULTS:
The synthesis highlights several actionable strategies for shifting from deficit-focused frameworks to strengths-oriented approaches. These include reframing research questions to capture agency and well-being, incorporating methods that support participant voice and expertise, and using analytical lenses that foreground resilience, creativity, and adaptive strategies. Concrete examples illustrate how integrating these elements can produce richer, more balanced understandings of PS users’ experiences. Additionally, strengths-based dissemination practices can challenge stigmatizing narratives and foster more accurate public and professional perceptions.

CONCLUSIONS:
Integrating a strengths-based approach throughout addiction research has the potential to reduce stigma, improve the representation of individuals who use PS, and enhance the relevance and accessibility of interventions. This presentation encourages researchers to reconsider traditional paradigms and to embrace approaches that acknowledge the capacities, knowledge, and contributions of people who use psychoactive substances.