Representation of crack addicts relapse

Abstract

Crack has become, in recent decades, a public health in Brazilian society. This study aimed to verify the relapse representations of crack addict, according to Moscovici's theory. We conducted this study with six participants who were in chemical dependency treatment in a therapeutic residence. For data collection we used a semi-structured interview, the data processing was performed with Content Analysis. The results point to respondents' difficulty to succeed the detoxification and abstinence objectives. We conclude that the idealization of abstinence objective is inseparable from the constant threat of relapse represented as any psychoactive substance consumption during or after treatment.