The aim of the study was to investigate the role of inpatient treatment in the recovery process and explore how patients view hospitalization when looking back after 3 months. The study was developed within a framework of user-involved research; all stages of the research process involved cooperation with service user coresearchers. Fourteen patients were recruited, all of whom had been in inpatient treatment for at least 3 weeks. The findings are based on analyses of interviews with the participants 3 months after discharge. Three key themes reflected the participants’ experiences when looking back at their hospitalization 3 months after being discharged: (i) A break from everything “out there”; (ii) A safety net to catch me if I fall; and (iii) From being looked after to taking responsibility for yourself. The transition from being an inpatient to returning home can be hard. Findings suggest that belonging to a social network plays an important role in recovery, and that this might be a meaningful focus during admission.
