Motives of abuse of psychoactive substances by women assisted in a Psychosocial Attention Center.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the reasons attributed by women to the abuse of psychoactive substances.

METHOD: Qualitative approach of phenomenological nature. We interviewed 12 women users of psychoactive substances under treatment at the Center for Psychosocial Care alcohol and drugs in Southern Brazil. The interviews were conducted between may and june 2013. The data were interpreted in light of Alfred Schütz's Social Phenomenology.

RESULTS

The abuse of psychoactive substances is motivated by the influence of the people with whom the women have a relationship or with whom they have lived. Still, the losses and the family conflicts experienced were also a trigger for the abuse of psychoactive substances.

CONCLUSION

Women's health care needs to meet beyond demands, since they must take into account the life history of these women.