Convivência com usuário de drogas : experiências de familiares com comportamentos de codependência

Abstract

The use of drugs compromises lives of numerous individuals living with those involved with drugs, particularly of those characterized as codependents. Those individuals experience an extreme attachment with the drug addict. They present maladaptative behavior, loss of identity as well as being significantly affected in their health, family and social life, requiring support to regain control of their lives. Taking it into consideration it was suggested an exploratory, descriptive study in a qualitative approach that focused on understanding the daily life of the family of a drug addict with codependent behavior. The subjects of the research were eight families of drug addicts living in the range area of the Primary Health Care Unit (UBS) Requião-Guaiapó from the city of Maringá-PR. They took part in the PET Mental Health UEM Project - Promotion, Preventing and Recovery/Social Reintegration in Mental Health: a view at mental disorder patients and their families with emphasis on Crack and Alcohol users. After labeling all families that reported having one family member using alcohol or other drugs, they were invited to participate in a research about Codependency. The Holyoake Codependency Index was applied on ten family members where eight members presented scores characterizing Codependency. These family members were submitted to an open interview with the purpose of sharing their experiences. Data was collected during home visitations from March to April 2012 and subsequently submitted to thematic Content Analysis. Results showed that these families revealed physical and emotional symptoms, conflicts and changes in the family quotidian, in addition to maladjustments in social coexistence and quality of life. As a result of the suffering reported by the families, it indicated a lack of support in order to face such dysfunctional manifestation. It is believed that once this understanding can subsidize the creation of public policies that take the drug abuse factor into consideration in a systematic way, as well as to inspire health care professionals to overcome personal views in their assistances and recognize the drug addiction factor as a whole, considering the family under their care.