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Crack users in treatment: experiences, meanings and senses 1 1 Financed by the Ministry of Health and by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).

The use of substances that affect the behavior, consciousness and mood of a person is ancient. The family, as well as school and friends, plays the role of primary socialization role for in children and adolescents and may function as a protective or a risk factor or a risk. The present is study aims to analyze the meanings, senses and experiences of family members related to crack addicts in treatment. This is a qualitative study, critical and reflective, conducted with workers CAPSad workers (Psychosocial Care Center, alcohol and other drugs), and crack addicts undergoing treatment and their families. For data collection, a semi-structured interview was used. Also, it was conducted a cContent analysis was also conducted, which allowed the establishment of convergences, divergences and complementarities. It is observed that family members attribute very negative meanings relatinged to crack addicts which are very negative, often due to a family relationship conflict, marked by the loss of family ties concerning with the crack addict. However, when the family becomes a target for interventions by CAPSad, there is a change of meaning in relation to the addict, which improves family relationships and contributes to the maintenance of the crack addict’s treatment. Given the above, it is perceived the importance of working on the meanings assigned to the family of addicts in treatment related forto drug use is perceptible.

Family Relations; Mental Health; Secondary Care; Crack Cocaine


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