Opioid abuse costs affect the majority of the adult population in our society directly or indirectly. The current prevailing medical treatment for opioid addiction is methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). MMT reduces infectious disease spread, illicit drug use, criminal activity, and overdose potential. MMT is only as effective as the length of time a client remains active and compliant with the program. In previous studies, therapeutic alliance (TA) has been shown to positively influence the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment. However, a gap exists in research in regards to the impact of TA on the effectiveness of MMT outcomes. The theoretical framework of this study is based on therapeutic alliance, which guided an examination on whether therapeutic alliance (as measured by the Session Rating Scale) influenced MMT retention and compliance (drug screens and session attendance). Archival data from 264 clients receiving MMT for opioid dependence were reviewed from a nonprofit community-based agency in Arizona. Logistic regression results revealed that TA did not significantly affect retention or compliance. However, issues were noted such as how the SRS was administered, a lack of understanding by clients regarding scoring the SRS, and unique social desirability demands when clients are in MMT. The finding that TA alone did not significantly affect retention and compliance does not decrease the need to find effective means to improve MMT outcomes. Rather, the findings suggest a critical need to identify and utilize measures more appropriate for clients receiving MMT. In doing so, positive social change may be achieved by assisting clinical staff in developing a strong therapeutic alliance with MMT clients as they focus on problem solving as a joint venture when challenges in the recovery process arise.

No description available.

Chemical dependency in the health profession is a growing concern. With easy access to controlled substances, many nurses divert prescription drugs and even work while under the influence. Nurses who are under the influence and working with patients are an obvious public hazard. Many states in the USA have non-punitive programs to offer recovery to nurses with chemical dependency and return them to work. In California this program is named the Diversion Program. Part of the requirements of successful completion of the Diversion Program is to attend weekly meetings called support groups. These support groups are facilitated by other nurses experienced in the field of chemical dependency. This study explored the experiences of nurse facilitators of support groups for nurses with chemical dependency in the California, USA, Diversion Program. Data were collected through twelve individual interviews selected through purposeful, non-probability convenience sampling. A phenomenological research design was used that was descriptive, explorative, and contextual. The data analysis revealed four major themes: (1) experience of communication within the Diversion Program; (2) experience of the structure of the Diversion Program; (3) experience of their role within the Diversion Program; and (4) experience of facilitation of support groups. The study revealed that even though many of the nurse facilitators‟ experiences were positive with respect to the support groups they expressed concern about the communication patterns within the Diversion Program. To offer support for the nurse facilitators, guidelines and a conceptual framework were created to enhance their experience and mitigate their feelings of marginalization from the Diversion Program. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Chemical dependency in the health profession is a growing concern. With easy access to controlled substances, many nurses divert prescription drugs and even work while under the influence. Nurses who are under the influence and working with patients are an obvious public hazard. Many states in the USA have non-punitive programs to offer recovery to nurses with chemical dependency and return them to work. In California this program is named the Diversion Program. Part of the requirements of successful completion of the Diversion Program is to attend weekly meetings called support groups. These support groups are facilitated by other nurses experienced in the field of chemical dependency. This study explored the experiences of nurse facilitators of support groups for nurses with chemical dependency in the California, USA, Diversion Program. Data were collected through twelve individual interviews selected through purposeful, non-probability convenience sampling. A phenomenological research design was used that was descriptive, explorative, and contextual. The data analysis revealed four major themes: (1) experience of communication within the Diversion Program; (2) experience of the structure of the Diversion Program; (3) experience of their role within the Diversion Program; and (4) experience of facilitation of support groups. The study revealed that even though many of the nurse facilitators‟ experiences were positive with respect to the support groups they expressed concern about the communication patterns within the Diversion Program. To offer support for the nurse facilitators, guidelines and a conceptual framework were created to enhance their experience and mitigate their feelings of marginalization from the Diversion Program. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Health Studies)

Submitted by Eunice Novais (enovais@uepg.br) on 2017-08-17T16:41:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) MORAIS, André de.pdf: 2012044 bytes, checksum: 1335c3711c49338730046fba62a7347b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-17T16:41:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) MORAIS, André de.pdf: 2012044 bytes, checksum: 1335c3711c49338730046fba62a7347b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-06 / Esta dissertação tem como fio condutor o seguinte questionamento: Como as identidades dos meninos que constituem a espacialidade da Comunidade Terapêutica Marcos Fernandes Pinheiro em Ponta Grossa – PR são elaboradas a partir da experiência de tratamento de dependência química? Com o objetivo de responder ao presente questionamento, foram realizadas oito entrevistas com os meninos em tratamento na Comunidade Terapêutica Marcos Fernandes Pinheiro no município de Ponta Grossa, PR, no período de abril e maio de 2016. Para a sistematização e análise dos dados resultantes das entrevistas, a metodologia utilizada apoia-se em Bardin (1977), com a proposta de Análise de Conteúdo do Discurso. Desta análise, destacam-se os eixos semânticos significados por espacialidades discursivas relacionadas às temporalidades as quais os meninos se referem em seus relatos de vivências que, não obstante, são singulares e específicos a cada um. O uso de substâncias psicoativas (SPAs) está relacionado à intensificação da condição de marginalidade socioespacial dos meninos que colaboram com essa pesquisa enquanto sujeitos pesquisados, bem como enquanto prática de resistência a essa marginalidade. O tratamento de dependência química, deste modo, coloca-se enquanto um elemento fundamental na alteração desta dinâmica, de modo a relacionar-se diretamente à elaboração identitária dos meninos, ou seja, às suas vivências espaciais que ocorrem cotidianamente. Assim, este trabalho estabelece um elo entre o empírico, através dos relatos dos meninos em tratamento, com a Ciência Geográfica, no sentido de explorar o intangível, o invisível e o efêmero, como propõe Nogué e Roméro (2006). / This dissertation is based on the following question: How are the identities of the boys that constitute the spatiality of the Marcos Fernandes Pinheiro Therapeutic Community in Ponta Grossa - PR elaborated from the experience of chemical dependency treatment? In order to respond to the present questioning, eight interviews were performed with the boys under treatment in the Marcos Fernandes Pinheiro Therapeutic Community in the city of Ponta Grossa, PR, in the period of April and May of 2016. For the systematization and analysis of the data resultant from the interviews, the methodology used is based on Bardin (1977), with the Discourse Content Analysis proposal. From this analysis, we highlight the semantic axis signified by discursive spatiality related to the temporalities which the boys refer to in their reports of experiences that, notwithstanding, are singular and specific to each one. The use of psychoactive substances (PAS) is related to the intensification of the condition of social and spatial marginalization of the boys who collaborate with this research as subjects researched, as well as a practice of resistance to this marginalization. The chemical dependency treatment thus becomes a fundamental element in the change of this dynamic, in order to relate directly to the identity development of the boys, that is to say, to their spatial experiences that occur daily. Therefore, this work establishes a link between the empirical, through the reports of the boys in treatment, and Geographic Science, in the sense of exploring the intangible, the invisible and the ephemeral, as proposed by Nogué and Roméro (2006).

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2017-10-20T14:03:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Wojciech Mittelstaedt.pdf: 1167076 bytes, checksum: 560d9e5198cc41dc8ef7204f477e04b8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-20T14:03:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wojciech Mittelstaedt.pdf: 1167076 bytes, checksum: 560d9e5198cc41dc8ef7204f477e04b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Fundação São Paulo - FUNDASP / This research seeks to illustrate the specificities in the process of recovery from chemical dependency in the therapeutic community of religious nature, where the religiosity is encouraged and lived becomes the primary tool in the fight against the addiction. This study wants to contribute to the recovery methods of the chemical dependents, showing that the religiosity as a method of therapy. As the hypothesis was considered the religiosity as a source of existential sense and psychological forces, with which the chemical dependent has got a greater possibility to abandon the addiction and to protect himself better from a relapse. Through the reports of the psychological care of four clinical cases during the addiction treatment, the changes occurred during the time of treatment were analysed in the religious and existential sense, through the methods of confrontation and life satisfaction. To realise this purpose have introduced: the complexity of the problem of dependence on psychoactive substances and those aspects of religiosity, which provide the existential meaning and greater resilience. The transformations were examined in the light of the concepts of religious experience, existential sense, conversion and theories of religious and moral development. The character of the bond formed with God was evaluated by the attachment theory. The particularities of a religious explication were considered according to the theory of attribution. Those methods of confrontation to bring meaning, control, spiritual comfort and closeness with others, were analysed by the coping religious theory of Pargament. The elements of well-being and life satisfaction, such as positive emotions, forces of character and positive relationships, were contemplated in the light of the concepts of positive psychology. It has been verified that the religiosity transformations take to a significant change of direction and develop positive psychological forces. In this way, this research has verified the positive influence of religiosity in the recovery process, increasing the resilience of dependent and supplying many protective elements / A presente pesquisa procura ilustrar as especificidades do processo de recuperação da dependência química na comunidade terapêutica de cunho religioso, onde a religiosidade incentivada e vivenciada se torna a ferramenta principal na luta contra a dependência. Essa tese quer contribuir na prática do trabalho de recuperação dos dependentes químicos, mostrando a religiosidade como método de terapia. Como hipótese foi considerada a religiosidade como fonte de sentido existencial e das forças psíquicas, com as quais o dependente químico tem maior possibilidade de abandonar o vício e proteger-se melhor da recaída. Através de relatos dos atendimentos psicológicos dos quatro casos clínicos, foram analisadas as mudanças ocorridas durante a internação, no sentido religioso e existencial, nos métodos de enfrentamento e na satisfação de vida. Para realizar esse propósito foram apresentadas: a complexidade do problema da dependência das substancias psicoativas e os aspectos da religiosidade, que fornecem o significado existencial e maior resiliência. As transformações foram examinadas a luz dos conceitos de experiência religiosa, sentido existencial, conversão e teorias de desenvolvimento religioso e moral. O caráter do vínculo formado com Deus foi avaliado pela teoria de apego. As particularidades da explicação religiosa foram ponderadas conforme da teoria de atribuição. Os métodos de enfrentamento para buscar significado, controle, conforto espiritual e proximidade com outros, foram analisados pela teoria de coping religioso de Pargament. Os elementos do bem-estar e satisfação de vida, tais como emoções positivas, forças de caráter e relacionamentos positivos, foram contemplados em luz dos conceitos da psicologia positiva. Foi constatado, que as transformações de religiosidade levam uma mudança significativa de sentido e aumentam as forças psíquicas positivas. Nesse modo, a pesquisa verificou a influência positiva da religiosidade no processo de recuperação, aumentando a resiliência do dependente e fornecendo vários elementos protetores

Submitted by Sandra Pereira (srpereira@ufrrj.br) on 2017-01-30T10:46:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2014 - Priscila de Oliveira Silva Maisano.pdf: 823146 bytes, checksum: 794181fc80e4900e6ea3b64b142f9f44 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-30T10:46:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2014 - Priscila de Oliveira Silva Maisano.pdf: 823146 bytes, checksum: 794181fc80e4900e6ea3b64b142f9f44 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-07-31 / This research was undertaken with the purpose of analyzing the theme "Religiosity and chemical dependency", through the use of religious practices in the treatment of drug addicts in recovery center of Christian confession, in particular Evangelical character. Religious interventions in recovering and licit and illicit drug addicts constitute the object of study of this work, to be developed from the analysis of the conception of religion, Protestant denomination in the prevention and treatment in combating drug abuse by religion. This research proposes to perform a basic research, qualitative analysis and descriptive character, testimonials collected, including via the web, with reference to empirical practices that permeate the internal processing of a particular Evangelical and interdenominational religious institution for the rehabilitation and social integration of drug users, located at a site in the municipality of Nova Igua?u/RJ. With approximately 35 years of activity, this religious institution offers treatment to the drug user and chemical dependent upon occupational therapy, pastoral counseling and interventions and assistance of several churches of different denominations and doctrines which are located in the Baixada Fluminense. In this sense, this research aims to address the relationships between religion and secularization in the contemporary world / Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de analisar o tema ?Religiosidade e Depend?ncia Qu?mica?, mediante o uso de pr?ticas religiosas no tratamento de dependentes qu?micos em centro de recupera??o de confiss?o crist?, em particular, de car?ter evang?lico. As interven??es religiosas na recupera??o de usu?rios e dependentes de drogas l?citas e il?citas constitui o objeto de estudo deste trabalho, a ser desenvolvida a partir da an?lise da concep??o da religi?o de denomina??o protestante na preven??o e tratamento no combate ao consumo de drogas pela religi?o. Trata-se de uma investiga??o que se prop?e a realizar uma pesquisa b?sica, de an?lise qualitativa e de car?ter descritivo, com depoimentos coletados, inclusive via web, tendo como refer?ncia emp?rica as pr?ticas que permeiam o tratamento dos internos de uma determinada institui??o religiosa evang?lica e interdenominacional destinada ? reabilita??o e inser??o social de usu?rios de drogas, localizada em um s?tio no munic?pio de Nova Igua?u/RJ. Com aproximadamente 35 anos de atividade, esta institui??o religiosa oferece tratamento ao usu?rio de drogas e dependente qu?mico, mediante terapia ocupacional, aconselhamento pastoral e interven??es e aux?lio de diversas igrejas de diferentes doutrinas e denomina??es situadas na Baixada Fluminense. Neste sentido, esta pesquisa visa abordar as rela??es entre religi?o e seculariza??o no mundo contempor?neo

Esta dissertação propõe investigar o fenômeno das toxicomanias como conseqüência do declínio da imago paterna na cultura atual. O estudo foi iniciado pelo cotejamento do tema na teoria de Sigmund Freud e pela interpretação de que a toxicomania é uma resposta à satisfação sexual recalcada. A pesquisa explorou ainda esse tema no ensino escrito e falado de Jacques Lacan. O uso abusivo de drogas promove um gozo auto-erótico que busca liberar o toxicômano de ter que lidar com os impasses da castração. Por tal motivo foi explorada a queda da operatividade do significante Nome-do-Pai na atualidade. Se o significante autentica o sujeito do inconsciente e opera como regulador de gozo, a ascensão do objeto a ao zênite social provoca efeitos decisivos sobre o sujeito: a inconsistência do Outro, a predominância do discurso da ciência e do capitalista, e a proliferação dos novos sintomas. Nesse sentido, a segunda clínica de Lacan, a chamada clínica borromeana, foi utilizada para interpretar os modos de gozo na contemporaneidade. O atendimento de um paciente psicótico que faz uso de drogas mostrou a importância de trabalhar o diagnóstico diferencial para orientar a direção do tratamento. / This dissertation proposes to investigate the chemical dependency phenomenon as a consequence of the paternal imago decline in current culture. The study begun by collating the theme in Sigmund Freud theory and by the interpretation that chemical dependency is a response to repressed sexual satisfaction. The research also explored this theme in Jacques Lacans written and spoken teaching. The abusive use of drugs promotes a self-erotic enjoyment that searches to release the chemical dependent from dealing with the castration impasses. Therefore, the operative decrease of the significant Name-of-Father in nowadays was explored. If the significant authenticates the unconscious subject and operates as a regulator of enjoyment, the rise of the a object to the social zenith causes a decisive effect on the subject: the inconsistency of the Other, the predominance of the science and capitalist discourse and the proliferation of new symptoms. Accordingly, the second clinic of Lacan, called borromean clinic, was used to interpret the ways of enjoyment in contemporary period. The surveillance of a psychotic patient who uses drugs showed the importance of working on the differentials diagnosis in order to treatment direction.

Submitted by Clebson Anjos (clebson.leandro54@gmail.com) on 2015-11-11T21:05:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1771922 bytes, checksum: aa8180b3cff9e1eafaaad8de2f96595f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-11T21:05:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1771922 bytes, checksum: aa8180b3cff9e1eafaaad8de2f96595f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-06 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The increased consumption of licit and illicit drugs has permeated the daily life of many Brazilian families, encouraging involvement by substance abuse, nowadays recognized as an important risk factor to health and the production of physical, biological and psychological nature of damage in the lives of users and family. The changes in the care scenario in mental health promoted the development of actions based on community strategies, with emphasis on psychosocial rehabilitation and social integration, with support and responsibility of family caregivers. In the process of caring families face adverse situations capable of causing damage to its structure and relational dynamics, especially by frequent exposure to violence, financial bankruptcy, emotional distress and deterioration of emotional ties. This research aimed to: Reveal the challenges experienced by family members involved in the care of drug addicts, in view of the importance of their participation as supporting this process; Describe the coping strategies used by family members to the follow up of its chemical dependent relative; Identify the types of support used by the family during the process of rehabilitation and social integration; Reveal the family expectations in relation to health services as a source of support for the rehabilitation and social integration of their relative. It is comprehensive interpretive and qualitative study was conducted in a CAPS ad of Campina Grande - PB with a sample of ten family caregivers. The empirical material was collected through semi-structured interviews, analyzed through content analysis based on enunciation. The research followed the ethical precepts of the Resolution 466/12 of the CNS under the approval of the Ethics Committee in CCS research - UFPB June 2014 (Protocol 0297/14 and CAAE: 31639114.3.0000.5188). From the analysis of the empirical material formed by groups like discussing the experience of family members in the care process, and the main challenges fighting for them, namely: relapse, violence, financial damage and involvement in crime, personal degradation and of affective ties. Identified himself still coping strategies often based on dialogue and thus the functionality of the families that have strong and effective support networks, from participation in community religious groups, self-help groups and CAPS family groups. This service proved to be, in the perception of family, very effective with regard to support for overcoming crisis and emotional exhaustion moments. It was also possible to realize a deficit in operating strategy in the network, which makes it impossible for relatives to receive support from other care devices. The study showed that care for addicts causes severe disorders in the lives of families, especially those related to the constant stress and on the situations of despair and anguish is necessary to build a work in educational basis network and emotional support to the family aimed at the re-establishment of family dynamics. / O aumento do consumo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas tem permeado o cotidiano de inúmeras famílias brasileiras, fomentando o acometimento pela dependência química, considerado na atualidade importante fator de risco à saúde e a produção de danos de cunho físico, biológico e psicológico na vida de usuários e familiares. As mudanças ocorridas no cenário de cuidado em saúde mental promoveu o desenvolvimento de ações pautadas nas estratégias comunitárias, com ênfase na reabilitação psicossocial e inserção social, com apoio e corresponsabilidade dos familiares cuidadores. No processo de cuidar as famílias enfrentam situações adversas capazes de provocar danos em sua estrutura e dinâmica relacional, principalmente pela exposição frequente a situações de violência, falência financeira, sofrimento emocional e deterioração de laços afetivos. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivos: Revelar os desafios vivenciados por familiares envolvidos no processo de cuidar de dependentes químicos, tendo em vista a importância de sua participação como coadjuvante nesse processo; Descrever as estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas pelos familiares no acompanhamento do tratamento do seu parente dependente químico; Identificar os tipos de apoio utilizados pelos familiares durante o processo de reabilitação e inserção social; Revelar as expectativas dos familiares em relação aos serviços de saúde como fonte de apoio à reabilitação e inserção social de seu parente. Trata-se de Estudo compreensivo interpretativo de natureza qualitativa, realizado em um CAPS ad do município de Campina Grande – PB com amostra composta por dez familiares cuidadores. O material empírico foi coletado por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, analisadas a partir da análise de conteúdo com base na enunciação. A pesquisa obedeceu aos preceitos éticos da resolução 466/12 do CNS sob aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do CCS – UFPB junho de 2014 (Protocolo nº 0297/14 e CAAE: 31639114.3.0000.5188). A partir da análise do material empírico formaram-se agrupamentos por semelhança que discutem a vivência dos familiares no processo de cuidar, e os principais desafios enfrentamentos por eles, a saber: recaídas, violência, danos financeiros e envolvimento com a criminalidade, degradação pessoal e dos laços afetivos. Identificou-se ainda as estratégias de enfrentamento frequentemente pautadas no diálogo e com isso a funcionalidade das famílias que contam com redes de apoio sólidas e eficazes, a partir da participação em grupos religiosos comunitários, grupos de auto ajuda e grupos de família do CAPS. Tal serviço mostrou-se, na percepção dos familiares, bastante efetivo no que concerne ao apoio para superação de momentos de crise e desgaste emocional. Foi possível perceber também um déficit na estratégia de funcionamento em rede, o que impossibilita os familiares de receberem apoio de outros dispositivos de cuidado. O estudo mostrou que cuidar de dependentes químicos provoca severas desordens na vida dos familiares, principalmente as vinculadas ao estresse constante e que diante das situações de desespero e angustia é necessária à construção de um trabalho em rede de cunho educativo e de suporte emocional para os familiares visando o reestabelecimento da dinâmica familiar.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:47:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotalMaria.pdf: 1422293 bytes, checksum: a5ecae53c8330f24df5b82ae0e354d1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-10-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The increase in the abuse of licit and illicit drugs is a phenomenon that has affected the life context of much of the world's population associated with several risk factors to health. Thus, drug addiction is considered a chronic disease and is related to difficulties that favor social exclusion of drug users from the social environment and community. It is known that the process of treatment and rehabilitation of chemically dependent is a delicate and difficult, causing pain and suffering for them and their families, constitute a phenomenon character stigmatizing and exclusionary. So, to give more visibility to this phenomenon through the stories of people who experienced the process of exclusion during the course of psychosocial rehabilitation, this research aimed to identify the challenges users' Psychosocial Attention Center Alcohol and Drugs (CAPSad) in the process of psychosocial rehabilitation. It is a comprehensive research -interpretative and qualitative, based on the assumptions of Oral History Testimonialindicated by Bom Meihy. The investigation was setting the Psychosocial Care Center Alcohol and Drugs in Campina Grande/PB. The empirical data were obtained through interviews with eleven employees, users of this service in the period between May and June 2013. Being the product of the material discussed based on thematic analysis proposed by Minayo, which subsidized the construction of a large thematic axis: Trajectory of Drug Users: Between exclusion and Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and three sub axis as follows respectively: a) Trajectory Fight against Chemical Dependency: prejudice, social exclusion and the constant fear of relapse; b) coping strategies used to achieve psychosocial rehabilitation: challenges and opportunities, and; c) the path to social reintegration: work and CAPSad. The results revealed stories of pain and suffering, whose biggest challenge in the process of recovery was the prejudice, stigma and social exclusion experienced in their daily lives, showing the removal of the addict's family and friends, as well as social isolation and the constant fear of relapses. It can be noticed that users are gaining their psychosocial rehabilitation through the reconstruction of bonding with family and also through spirituality, showing that these consist of protective factors against relapse, being a source of strength and support during recovery. Work and CAPSad play an important role in relation to the drug user empowerment and contribute to the sense of belonging of these individuals in society. It is considered that the intersectoral networking and contribute to the development of autonomy and citizenship due to relationships in social groups that provide healthy bonds, highlighting the CAPSad to conduct its activities in a network and holistically. Therefore, in this study showed that employees even facing some difficulties have been able to overcome the prejudice and social exclusion, using strategies such as the support of family, spirituality, work and CAPSad for psychosocial rehabilitation. / O aumento do consumo abusivo de drogas lícitas e ilícitas é um fenômeno que tem afetado o contexto de vida de grande parte da população mundial associado a diversos fatores de risco à saúde. Assim, a dependência química é considerada doença crônica e está relacionada a dificuldades de ordem social que favorecem a exclusão dos usuários de drogas do meio social e comunitário. Sabe-se que o processo de tratamento e reabilitação do dependente químico é um momento delicado e difícil, causador de dor e sofrimento para estes e seus familiares, por constituir-se fenômeno de caráter estigmatizante e excludente. Portanto, para dar mais visibilidade a este fenômeno por meio das histórias de pessoas que vivenciaram o processo de exclusão durante o percurso da reabilitação psicossocial, esta pesquisa objetivou conhecer os desafios dos usuários do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas (CAPSad) no processo de reabilitação psicossocial. Trata-se de uma pesquisa compreensivo-interpretativa e de caráter qualitativo, fundamentada nos pressupostos da História Oral Testemunhal, indicados por Bom Meihy. A investigação teve como cenário o Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas do município de Campina Grande/PB. O material empírico foi produzido por meio de entrevistas realizadas com onze colaboradores, usuários deste serviço, no período compreendido entre maio e junho de 2013. Sendo o produto desse material discutido com base na análise temática proposta por Minayo, a qual subsidiou a construção de um grande eixo temático: Trajetória de Usuários de Drogas: entre a exclusão e a reabilitação Psicossocial; e três subeixos, conforme seguem respectivamente: a) Trajetória da Luta contra a Dependência Química: preconceito, exclusão social e o medo constante da recaída; b) Estratégias de enfrentamento utilizadas para alcançar a reabilitação psicossocial: desafios e possibilidades; e, c) O caminho para a reinserção social: trabalho e o CAPSad. Os resultados revelaram histórias de dor e sofrimento, cujo maior desafio no processo de recuperação foi o preconceito, estigma e a exclusão social vivenciados em seu cotidiano, evidenciando o afastamento do dependente químico da família e amigos, bem como, o isolamento social e o medo constante das recaídas. Pode-se perceber que os usuários estão conquistando sua reabilitação psicossocial por meio da reconstrução dos laços afetivos com a família e, também, através da espiritualidade, mostrando que estas consistem em fatores de proteção contra a recaída, por serem fonte de força e apoio durante sua recuperação. O trabalho e o CAPSad desempenham papel importante em relação ao empoderamento do usuário de drogas e contribuem para o sentimento de pertença destes indivíduos na sociedade. Considera-se que o trabalho em rede e a intersetorialidade contribuem para o desenvolvimento da autonomia e cidadania devido às relações em grupos sociais que proporcionam vínculos saudáveis, destacando-se o CAPSad por realizar sua atuação em rede e de maneira integral. Portanto, evidenciou-se neste estudo que os colaboradores mesmo enfrentando algumas dificuldades têm conseguido vencer o preconceito e a exclusão social, utilizando como estratégias o apoio da família, da espiritualidade, do trabalho e do CAPSad para sua reabilitação psicossocial.