Abstract
Introduction:
The family builds beliefs about chemical dependence, which are shared among their family members and impact on their functionality.
Objective:
To describe the restrictive and facilitating beliefs about drug addiction, from the perspective of parents living with the problem.
Method:
Case study of one family with a qualitative approach. Participants consisted of parents of a psychoactive substance dependents. An in-depth interview and analysis of thematic content was carried out.
Results:
Restrictive beliefs were: parental overprotection as a reason for the child’s psychoactive substance use and social prejudice suffered by the parents. Facilitating beliefs involved the parents hope’s for the cure of the dependent, through hospitalization; the family has the strengths to coping with the situation through religious and family support.
Conclusion:
Restrictive and facilitative beliefs need to be challenged and promoted by both families and health professionals to promote familiar well-being.
Keywords:
Case Studies; Family; Family Relations; Substance-Related Disorders; Mental Health