Abstract
Objective
To identify the main benefits of Integrative Community Therapy revealed by users of psychoactive drugs.
Method
Documentary, retrospective and qualitative study, based on the records of the Assessment and Closure Forms of the Integrative Community Therapy groups, which were conducted in three drug addiction rehab centers located in the region of the Vale do Araguaia, Brazil. The sample consisted of eighteen records of Integrative Community Therapy groups (six records at each institution), which contained the quantity of participants and the therapists’ assessment of the main themes, strategies and benefits. For this research, the benefits perceived by the participants of the Integrative Community Therapy groups were analyzed through thematic content analysis.
Results
The main benefits were grouped according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and divided into categories with concrete and subjective experiences. The benefits were divided into social needs (embracement, communion, space of well-being and future expectations), esteem needs (learning, understanding and respect) and self-actualization needs (belonging and hope).
Conclusion
The records indicated that the Integrative Community Therapy enabled an active participation of users, allowing them to share suffering and joy with each other. The results demonstrated that this therapy is viable and affordable for drug dependency treatment.
User embracement; Complementary therapies; Drug ussers