Grupo de auto-ajuda ao alcoolista como dispositivo da rede de apoio social

Abstract

In response to growing consumption of alcohol and its related problems, exemplified by harmful use and/or dependence, Brazil has been setting public policies such as full attention on alcohol and drugs users which, in turn, highlights the psychosocial care based on a support network organized by the Psychosocial Care Center (PCA), linked to other health services and community groups. Self-help groups as the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) are becoming increasingly common, as its members organize themselves in order to live and solve their own alcohol related problems. This research aimed to learn, from the experience of handling with alcoholics, how a self-help group develops itself as a social support network. The descriptive study took place in an AA from Fortaleza (CE), with 20 participants aged over 18 years-old, who wished to take part and were affiliated and regularly attending the group meetings for at least one year, and also were in physical and emotional conditions to properly respond the questionnaire. Data were collected through individual interviews, using a semi-structured road map and organized in tables, then grouped in four main categories that emerged from the interviewed testimonies. The analysis process was based on the precepts of Bardin´s Content Analysis. The results shows the diversity of characteristics about social, demographic and historical aspects related to the use of drugs, with a history of heavy use of alcohol and its adverse consequences to the health of the participants, including all sorts of negative interference in all aspects of their lives: personal, family, social and economic. It was reported by the participants the search for spiritual assistance in health services and self-help groups to drug-dependency treatment. It was also emphasized the AA contribution to the Health Promotion, not only because it restores their physical condition, but also by offering them subsidies for empowerment, and giving the possibility of reintegration of those ones previously victimized by social exclusion. The self-help group proved to be an efficient support environment to the participants, permeated by the offer of a program with attainable goals, by working as a space where the participant has a voice, and by its intersectorial ability of articulation within support network groups. Based on the perceived reality, comes the perception about the need of more health professionals engaged in the fight against the use of psychoactive drugs, taking a more decisive role in the construction of policies and practices that meet this condition and provide solutions for it. To the given complexity, this participation requires some key conditions, such as the recognition of the importance of knowledge from other areas and the capability of building partnerships as a strategy for care and social inclusion.