Qualidade de vida dos familiares de dependentes de cocaína/crack: percepções a partir das experiências dos internamentos

Abstract

A basic goal of this study was to investigate perceptions on their quality of life by family members of cocaine/crack addict persons after their voluntary and involuntary admissions, in a specialized private service for drug treatment in the city of Camaçari/Bahia/Brazil. Chemical dependency is seen as a problem of public health, and more concern with family should be addressed. The research first discuss themes such as chemical dependency, disorders associated with personality, contemporary families, quality of life and perceptions of drug addicts family members on the subject, as well as forms of intervention in treatment. An empirical research follows such conceptual debate using descriptive, comparative and reflective methodological approaches. The model is the triangulation methodology, combining quantitative and qualitative research in a single plane, through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The results showed that family members tend to declare that they have a good quality of life and health in general, as well as when physical, psychological, social and environmental fields are specifically focused. It was found multiple concepts of quality of life among respondents. It was also a common finding the perception that the treatment of their familiar member collaborated with a progressive improvement of their relations. It was found that sociodemographic variables are associated with better quality of life perception. In this way, it was highlighted: to be male, to have income above five minimum wages and to be married/stable. Through the qualitative research, it was found that households tend to increase their exposure to religiosity/spirituality with their relatives drug addiction process. This also held true with their internment. Indeed religiosity/spirituality collaborated to social/emotional support, besides being positive and protective to the recovery from chemical dependency. However, in the quantitative research, it is observed that respondents do not highlight religion as a factor that contributes to improve their quality of life. When compared, the modalities of voluntary and involuntary admissions, no meaningful differences were found in relation to the quality of life of the focused family member.