Compreensões e práticas dos psicólogos quanto à estratégia de redução de danos ao uso de álcool e outras drogas nos serviços de saúde.

Abstract

This study analyzes and investigates the understandings and practices of psychologists working in the health services of the municipality of Sobral-CE regarding the strategy of Harm Reduction to the use of alcohol and other drugs. In order to carry out the research, the project was submitted to the ethics committee, consisting of the opinion number 2.456.366, through the Brazil Platform. Based on the qualitative research methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with psychologists working in the Mental Health and Basic Care services. The process of data analysis was performed according to the discourse analysis method, revealing analytical categories that were approached during the course of the research. This paper discusses the conceptualization and the historical and current perspective of Harm Reduction and the considerations derived from the research. Some problems in the implementation of the Harm Reduction strategy in the services studied were pointed out by the analysis. It was possible to conclude that for psychologists harm reduction is the possible strategy to deal with drug abuse, but the understanding of such a policy is still superficial, which hinders the construction of practices of this kind in the Mental Health services and, mainly, in Primary Care. Therefore, it is concluded that investment in the training of these professionals is essential.