A qualitative research was conducted through a multiple case study and an explanatory research in order to investigate the role of Brazilian Navy in the construction of the patients' alcoholism treated in an outpatient chemical dependency and examine how their illnesses occurred in the workplace. Therefore, individual interviews were conducted with 13 patients who belonged to two treatment groups of the Center for Chemical Dependency (CEDEQ). Sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data were conducted in a circular manner. The results showed that there are features of the labor and drinking opportunities related to the production of alcoholism. In conclusion, ways of consuming beverages, usually in groups, are associated with the execution of tasks, facilitating the installation of alcohol addiction.
alcoholism; occupational health; working conditions