Ambiguity of care in the experience of drug consumers

ABSTRACT

Objective  To understand the perception of users of a Psychosocial Care Center about care in the context of drug use.

Methods  Study based on the Phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, developed in the Center for Psychosocial Care Alcohol and Other Drugs. The data has been submitted to the Analytical Technique of Ambiguity.

Results  The drug use sometimes provides the consumer with pleasurable feelings, sometimes contributing to the occurrence of biopsychosocial harm and/or new possibilities for relationship with the drug.

Conclusions  The drug use is an ambiguous process, which corresponds to the perception of different care profiles in the relationship between the consumer and the drug. It is up to the health professionals to recognize the diverse possibilities of care and to favor the construction of therapeutic projects based on listening and respecting the needs of drug users.

Substance-related disorders; Mental health; Philosophy, nursing; Street drugs