Objective: Identify mechanisms of positive influence of religiosity and spirituality on the life and treatment of alcoholics, from their perspective. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted at a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs, located in the interior of São Paulo. A semi-structured interview was conducted with eight alcoholics. Data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Results: From the perception of the interviewees, religiosity and spirituality have a positive influence, bringing comfort to people in alcohol withdrawal, promoting inner power to take care of their health and change their habits, routine and behaviors, acting as complementary support to treatment and strengthening daily prayers. Conclusion:Alcoholics recognize the positive influence of religiosity and spirituality, helping them face daily life and treatment challenges.Health professionals have to be prepared to use such themes in the care routine as motivation resources.Keywords: Ethanol; Alcoholism; Religion; Spirituality. resumen Objetivo: Identificar los mecanismos de la influencia positiva en la religión y la espiritualidad en la vida y en el tratamiento, desde la perspectiva de los alcohólicos. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo y exploratorio realizado con ocho alcohólicos en el Centro de Atención Psicosocial de Alcohol y Drogas en São Paulo. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas, analizadas mediante el análisis de contenido. Resultados: En la percepción de los encuestados, la religiosidad y la espiritualidad influyen positivamente en la comodidad de las personas con abstinencia; dándoles fuerza interior para cuidar de la salud; promoviendo cambio en la actitud, rutina y comportamiento; sirviendo como apoyo adicional al tratamiento; y fortaleciendo el ejercicio diario de la oración. Conclusión: Los alcohólicos reconocen que la religión y la espiritualidad les ayudan a hacer frente a los retos diarios de la vida y del tratamiento. Profesionales de salud deben ser capaces de utilizar estos temas en el cuidado diario, como recursos motivacionales.

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Objective: to analyze the discourse of psychoactive substance users undergoing treatment regarding their image of themselves as drug dependent subjects, of other dependents and the social position assumed by them. Method: qualitative study conducted between March and September of 2016 through a semi-structured interview and drawings, based on the theoretical-methodological reference of French Discourse Analysis. Participation of 12 drug dependent subjects undergoing treatment in the service that substitutes the asylum. Results: The images that psychoactive substance dependents have of themselves and of chemically dependent subjects are associated with the image of a negative, diabolical, transgressive, sick and socially excluded individual. Final considerations: The ideological effects of meanings produced by users’ discourses reproduce the biological and moral model. Health professionals, including nurses, need to invest in discourses that address the psychosocial model to demythologize this stigmatizing image and modify their work practice.