Characteristics of dependence and use of psychoactive substances in Psychosocial Care Centers

Abstract

Objective: to analyze characteristics and levels of use of alcohol and other drugs by patients in Psychosocial Care Centers. Methodology: the ASSIST (Alcohol Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test) and AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaires were used for data collection. Ninety users treated in four Type I Psychosocial Care Centers participated in the study. For data analysis, we used the descriptive statistics method with the support of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 24.0 (SPSS) program. Results: there was predominance of males, corresponding to 86.7%. Minimum age of 18 and maximum of 79 years old, with a mean of 40.5. Schooling level with emphasis on incomplete elementary education and unemployment rate of 41.1%. The majority used drugs, alcohol, tobacco, cocaine and marijuana, 55.6% were alcohol users, had dependent or risk consumption, with intensive treatment in a specialized service as indication. Conclusion: the family and social incentive in the treatment process, the monitoring of the professionals, the guidance regarding the risks to the physical and mental health of abusive use, and strengthening of the subjects’ autonomy before the treatment process need to be constant.