The study aimed to describe adolescents' social representations of alcoholism and to analyze alcoholism's implications in the adolescents' life histories. It is qualitative-descriptive research, which used the life history method for data collection from 40 adolescents, concomitantly with the technique of non-participant observation. Thematic content analysis led to two categories: 'Alcoholic drinks, the good and the bad', and 'Alcoholism and its consequences'. Adolescents' social representations on alcohol couple it to two symbolic meanings: the association of alcoholic drinks with pleasure and fun, and the negative aspect of its use, related to violence and the loss of one's senses. It is concluded that living with alcoholism in the family influences how the adolescents perceive alcohol throughout their lives.
Alcoholism; Nursing; Adolescents; Life history; Social psychology