Social reintegration of crack addicts: actions taken by the family

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the perception of families about the actions developed by them in the search for social reintegration of their crack addict relative. This is a qualitative study conducted with 10 family members of crack-addicted individuals who were hospitalized in a detoxification treatment unit of psychoactive substances. Data were collected in April and May 2011, through the focus group technique and categorization was based on content analysis. Family members contribute significantly to the social reintegration of their relative, they feel co-responsible for their treatment, and therefore they guide them in the search for a new path. Families play an essential role in the life of drug-addicted relatives and are aware that they must be present in the relative's life, constantly seeking strategies to help them and support them in coping with their suffering and treatment.

Care actions for family members of users of psychoactive substances: intentions/expectations

“…Following this logic, the family members seek attendance to get support to themselves and to the user. Their intention is to have their own demands answered and, especially, the user's demand (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22) .…”

“…Thus, the family needs to understand the user's treatment process and be prepared to deal with situations resulting from substance use. From their life history, the family is capable of building their own knowledge and empower themselves to think about more appropriate alternatives to cope with each experienced situation (15)(16) .…”

“…Participation and support to family members, when supportive to the treatment, demonstrates greater confidence in the user during the exposure of their problems and contributes to understanding the situation. Especially in situations where the user is at "rock bottom", it is a motivating and triggering factor to treatment permanence (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) .…”

Care Actions for the Relatives of Users of Psychoactive Substances: The Perspectives of Professionals and Families

“…17 Thus, health professionals need to know the family and provide care actions that contribute to the improvement of the quality of the links between professionals-family-users, in order to reduce vulnerability to drug use in the family environment. 18 As a service responsible for mental health care, CAPS promotes integrated work with the family and the community of people who use its services. In addition, it is important for the service to contemplate the characteristics of the people in their singularity, offering meaningful care to them, while enhancing the development of the individual, as a citizen and principal actor of his life.…”

Motivos do abuso de substâncias psicoativas por mulheres assistidas em Centro de Atenção Psicossocial

“…In 2013, around 246 million people around the world between 15 and 64 years of age used a psychoactive substance; in this case, an illicit drug (4) . The abuse of these substances causes physical and emotional harm to users, directly interferes with their social relationships and creates problems in the family, work and school setting (5)(6) .…”