Accountability and participation: how to overcome the tutelary character in the psychosocial care center for alcohol and drug users?

OBJECTIVE  Analyze the degree of accountability and participation of user under treatment at the Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drug Users (CAPS-ad) from the harm reduction policy perspective.

METHODS  It is a qualitative approach study, case study type, with 12 users and four professionals from CAPS-ad in a county of Minas Gerais state. Data were collected from April to September 2017, by means of semi-structured interview, participant observation and documental analysis.

RESULTS  Based on content analysis, information was organized in two thematic categories: treatment objectives and motivation for treatment. Conclusions: the study’s findings revealed that users should be more held accountable and empowered with regard to their treatment.

CONCLUSIONS  More professional listening is suggested, favoring the constructions of goals befitting users’ interests, as contracts.

Keywords:
Mental health; Community mental health services; Drug users; Harm reduction; Patient care planning