The history of heroin use disorder intervention has been characterised by fads and fashions. Some of the treatments that have been used have been, at best ineffective, and at worst harmful, and occasionally even dangerous. It is a sad reflection upon the field that practices and procedures for the treatment of heroin use disorders can so easily be introduced and applied without (or even contrary to) evidence. In South Africa, the field of heroin use disorder intervention has been `in transition' since the outbreak of the heroin epidemic. Yet despite growing evidence of an association between heroin dependents use of supplementary intervention services (such as psychosocial and pharmacological/medical care) and intervention outcomes, and the fact that international emerging standards for substance use disorder intervention have called upon treatment intervention providers to enhance traditional substance use disorder services with services that address clients' psychological and social needs, heroin use disorder intervention programmes in South Africa generally fail to meet these research-based intervention standards. Much of what is currently delivered as intervention is based upon current best guesses of how to combine some science-based (for example, cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapies) and self-help (12-step programmes) approaches into optimal intervention protocols. As progression is made in the twenty-first century, scientific information is now beginning to be used to guide the evolution and delivery of heroin use disorder care internationally. Regrettably, a scarcity of heroin use disorder intervention research is noted in South Africa. The present study delved into the insights of ten heroin use disorder specialists, and synthesised the findings with the results of a previous study undertaken by the author relating to forty long-term voluntarily abstinent heroin dependents. In terms of theory and practice, findings of the study suggest that the field is less in transition now than it was in 1995. It is an imperative that law-enforcement action be followed by an integrated programme of psychological, social and pharmacological outreach. These programmes will have to be expanded to address new demands and will need to include specialised skills training. Many interventions and procedures have begun to be integrated routinely into clinical practice. / Psychology / (D. Phil. (Psychology))

The history of heroin use disorder intervention has been characterised by fads and fashions. Some of the treatments that have been used have been, at best ineffective, and at worst harmful, and occasionally even dangerous. It is a sad reflection upon the field that practices and procedures for the treatment of heroin use disorders can so easily be introduced and applied without (or even contrary to) evidence. In South Africa, the field of heroin use disorder intervention has been `in transition' since the outbreak of the heroin epidemic. Yet despite growing evidence of an association between heroin dependents use of supplementary intervention services (such as psychosocial and pharmacological/medical care) and intervention outcomes, and the fact that international emerging standards for substance use disorder intervention have called upon treatment intervention providers to enhance traditional substance use disorder services with services that address clients' psychological and social needs, heroin use disorder intervention programmes in South Africa generally fail to meet these research-based intervention standards. Much of what is currently delivered as intervention is based upon current best guesses of how to combine some science-based (for example, cognitive-behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapies) and self-help (12-step programmes) approaches into optimal intervention protocols. As progression is made in the twenty-first century, scientific information is now beginning to be used to guide the evolution and delivery of heroin use disorder care internationally. Regrettably, a scarcity of heroin use disorder intervention research is noted in South Africa. The present study delved into the insights of ten heroin use disorder specialists, and synthesised the findings with the results of a previous study undertaken by the author relating to forty long-term voluntarily abstinent heroin dependents. In terms of theory and practice, findings of the study suggest that the field is less in transition now than it was in 1995. It is an imperative that law-enforcement action be followed by an integrated programme of psychological, social and pharmacological outreach. These programmes will have to be expanded to address new demands and will need to include specialised skills training. Many interventions and procedures have begun to be integrated routinely into clinical practice. / Psychology / (D. Phil. (Psychology))

Background: Drug rehabilitation is crucial for drug addicts. As much as drug rehabilitation (rehab) centres are helping in dealing with drug addiction. Some drug addicts may find that some of the drug rehabs do not meet their needs. Therefore, the study explored the experience of caregivers caring for nyaope addicts. Method: This study adopted a qualitative research approach and a case study design. The purposive sampling method was employed to select the sample. The sample comprised six caregivers. The structured interview and open-ended questionnaire were employed to collect data. An interview questionnaire was designed allowing the participants to respond at home and provide feedback. Their responses provided through this process were insufficient, participants were then requested face-to-face interviews and they agreed. Results: One of the main findings in this study was that caregiving affects the caregivers negatively. Caregiving has led to psychological and physical effects amongst the caregivers. Conclusion: A need was identified for support and awareness for the caregivers and rehabilitation centres in South Africa. This might reduce the relapse of substance abuse and help eradicate the number of substance abusers in South Africa. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology (Research Consultation))

Against the background of an increase in the demands for treatment of adolescent chemical addiction, as well as the persistently high relapse rate, the significant impact on the development and well-being of chemically addicted adolescents needs to be considered by the social work profession, in order to plan effective intervention strategies. The purpose of this research study was to explore and describe the experiences of chemically addicted adolescents who had relapsed after in-patient treatment. Subsequently, the researcher aimed to generate guidelines and recommendations for social workers, in order to prevent relapse. A qualitative research approach was employed. The researcher made use of descriptive, exploratory and contextual research designs. The study was conducted at adolescent in-patient treatment centres in the Western Cape, South Africa. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed, and field notes were taken to record the data. The sample selected from the population of chemically addicted adolescents in the Western Cape who relapsed after in-patient treatment was selected through the purposive sampling technique. Tesch's framework for data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was employed, and data verification was conducted through Guba's model (in Krefting, 1991:214-222). The research results, concluding guidelines and recommendations are being disseminated by means of this written report. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Social Work)

Against the background of an increase in the demands for treatment of adolescent chemical addiction, as well as the persistently high relapse rate, the significant impact on the development and well-being of chemically addicted adolescents needs to be considered by the social work profession, in order to plan effective intervention strategies. The purpose of this research study was to explore and describe the experiences of chemically addicted adolescents who had relapsed after in-patient treatment. Subsequently, the researcher aimed to generate guidelines and recommendations for social workers, in order to prevent relapse. A qualitative research approach was employed. The researcher made use of descriptive, exploratory and contextual research designs. The study was conducted at adolescent in-patient treatment centres in the Western Cape, South Africa. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed, and field notes were taken to record the data. The sample selected from the population of chemically addicted adolescents in the Western Cape who relapsed after in-patient treatment was selected through the purposive sampling technique. Tesch's framework for data analysis (in Creswell, 2003) was employed, and data verification was conducted through Guba's model (in Krefting, 1991:214-222). The research results, concluding guidelines and recommendations are being disseminated by means of this written report. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Social Work)

Drug abuse is a very common problem these days; and this problem is especially rampant among the young people of South Africa. Early problems in family management, the antisocial behaviour of the child, and peer pressure and rejection ignite the early onset of substance abuse. Treatment programmes and therapeutic methods to treat chemical dependency are available and utilised, but the high relapse rate and lack of support from family members and dysfunctional families, as well as the fears and challenges expressed by in-patient youth about being reintegrated with their families and a lack of supporting literature in this regard remain a cause for concern and need to be considered by the social work profession in order to plan effective intervention strategies. In response to this situation a research project was undertaken with the purpose of exploring and describing the perceptions, expectations, fears and needs of chemically dependent youth in a rehabilitation centre about being integrated into their family systems in an attempt to forward recommendations to assist social workers in rendering effective therapeutic services to service users in rehabilitation centres who have a substance abuse problem. A qualitative approach was utilised following an explorative, descriptive and contextual research design. The study was conducted at an in-patient rehabilitation centre called the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Treatment Centre in Cullinan, Gauteng Province in South Africa. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. A sample of participants was selected by using purposive sampling from a population of service users in the Dr Fabian and Florence Ribeiro Centre who are chemically dependent. Data were analysed according to the framework provided by Tesch (cited in Creswell, 2003). Guba‘s model (cited in Krefting, 1991) was employed for data verification. The research findings point to the fact that participants had both negative and positive perceptions about going back to their respective families. On the one hand, there were negative perceptions shared. These were founded on a feeling of worry about the fact that their families criticised them a lot or that their families would not accept that they had changed, would still treat them like addicts, and not trust them. Furthermore, they feared relapse, triggers in their environment and family members who were abusing a substance. On the other hand, some participants perceived the reintegration with their families, following treatment, in a positive light as they were looking forward to joining them again after being in v treatment for three months.They were excited about the fact that they had been granted an opportunity where they could show their families that they have changed and have the chance of starting a new life. Moreover, part of the research findings point to the fact that some of the participants‘ families had already organised employment, a place for them to stay and financial assistance. From the research findings it became clear that the participants harboured the following expectations towards the families with whom they were reuniting: They need the family‘s love and support; to trust them again: to mend severed relationships and spend quality time together; to provide practical and material help, and for the family to be educated on addiction and for the family to accompany them to aftercare. In terms of research findings directed at the site (i.e., the rehabilitation centre) where the research was conducted the participants indicated that they needed more activities, they would like their families to be part of their recovery process, and expressed the need for individual sessions apart from group sessions and aftercare services. In terms of recommendations it was apparent that community members, community organisations and the government sector need to develop and launch chemical substance abuse prevention and awareness programmes through various media, (i.e. articles in newspapers, magazines, talks and documentaries on radio and television, community gatherings and meetings in all communities). Moreover, it is recommended that parents should take responsibility for monitoring and countering substance abuse in their children. Families need to be empowered through talks, attending parenting skills training, workshops and group meetings. South Africa needs to develop a policy focusing on families. Furthermore, it is recommended that treatment centres need to provide individual sessions, family therapy, aftercare services and more extramural activities, if these are not included in their treatment regime. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Science)

Aquest estudi examina les relacions entre la dinàmica familiar, ajustament diàdic conjugal i vincle parental dels joves-adults drogoadictes i no drogoaddictes des del model sistèmic. Per aquesta raó, l’objectiu principal d’aquest estudi és per una banda, determinar si existeix diferències estadísticament significatives entre el grup experimental i el grup control quant a les variables a estudiar. I per l’altra, valorar la importància del paper de la família tant el camp de la prevenció com en el tractament de les drogodependències. Per fer-ho, s’ha utilitzat tres instruments: la FACES III d’Olson i col•l (1985) per mesurar la dinàmica familiar, la DAS de Spanier i col•l (1976) per avaluar l’ajustament diàdic conjugal i el PBI de Parker i col•l (1979) per avaluar el vincle parental. Els resultats indiquen existeix diferències estadísticament significatives entre el grup experimental i el grup control quant a dinàmica familiar. Concretament, la majoria dels joves-adults drogoaddictes perceben una dinàmica familiar estructuralment desvinculada, seguida per la rígidament desvinculada, que dins el model Circumplex d’Olson correspon al tipus de família extrema o moderada, respectivament. Quant al grup control, la majoria de joves-adults no drogoaddictes perceben una dinàmica familiar estructuralment separada, flexiblement separada o connectada; i dins del model Circumplex, correspon al tipus de família equilibrada. Quant a la percepció de l’ajustament diàdic conjugal, destacar que no s’han trobat diferències estadísticament significatives entre els pares i les mares del grup experimental com els pares i les mares del grup control. Finalment, quant al vincle parental, assenyalar que la majoria de joves-adults drogoaddictes perceben un vincle de control sense afecte contràriament als joves del grup control, dels quals la majoria perceben un vincle òptim tant al grup de mares com de pares. La conclusió final ha estat que aquest estudi demostra la importància del paper de la família tant en el camp de la prevenció com en el camp de la intervenció. / Este estudio examina las relaciones entre la dinámica familiar, ajustamiento diádico conyugal y vínculo parental de los jóvenes-adultos drogadictos y no drogadictos desde el modelo sistémico. Por esta razón, el objetivo principal de este estudio es por un lado, determinar si existe diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control con relación a las variables a estudiar. Y por otro lado, valorar a importancia del papel de la familia tanto en el campo de la prevención como en el tratamiento de las drogodependencias. Para llevarlo a cabo, se ha utilizado tres instrumentos: la FACES III de Olson y al. (1985) para medir la dinámica familiar, la DAS de Spanier y al. (1976) para medir el ajustamiento diádico conyugal y el PBI y at. (1979) para medir el vínculo parental. Los resultados indican que existe diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el grupo experimental y el grupo control en cuanto a dinámica familiar. Concretamente, la mayoría de los jóvenes-adultos drogadictos perciben una dinámica familiar estructuralmente desvinculada, seguida por la rígidamente desvinculada, que dentro del modelo Circumplejo de Olson corresponde al tipo de familia extrema o moderada, respectivamente. En cuanto al grupo control, la mayoría de jóvenes-adultos no drogadictos perciben una dinámica familiar estructuralmente separada, flexiblemente separada o conectada; y dentro del modelo Circumplejo, corresponde al tipo de familia equilibrada. Con relación al ajustamiento diádico conyugal, destacar que no se ha hallado diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los padres y las madres del grupo experimental como los padres y las madres del grupo control. Finalmente, en cuanto al vínculo parental, destacar que la mayoría de jóvenes-adultos drogadictos perciben un vínculo de control sin afecto contrariamente a los jóvenes-adultos del grupo control, que la mayoría perciben un vínculo óptimo tanto en el grupo de madres como de padres. La conclusión final que se ha llegado ha estado que este estudio demuestra la importancia del papel de la familia tanto en el campo de la prevención como en el campo de la intervención. / This study examines the relationship between family dynamics, dyadic marital adjustment, and parental bonding in young-adult drug addicts and non-drug addicts from a systemic model. In this sense, the main aim of this study is, on the one hand, to determine whether there are significant differences between the experimental group and the control group with regards to the variables to be studied; and, on the other hand, to assess the importance of the family role both in the field of prevention and in drug addiction treatments. Three measures have been used: FACES III by Olson et al. (1985) to assess family dynamics; DAS by Spanier et al. (1976) to assess dyadic marital adjustment; and PBI by Parker et al. (1979) to assess parental bonding. Results show that there are statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group as regards family dynamics. Particularly, most young-adult drug addicts perceive their family dynamics as structurally detached, followed by strictly detached, which in Olson's Circumplex model corresponds to the extreme or moderate family type, respectively. As for the control group, most young-adult non-drug addicts perceive their family dynamics as structurally separated, flexibly separated or connected; which, according to Olson's Circumplex model corresponds to the balanced family type. With regards to the perception of dyadic marital adjustment, there are no statistically significant differences between fathers and mothers in the experimental group, as in the case of fathers and mothers in the control group. Finally, concerning parental bonding, most young-adult drug addicts perceive their parental bonds as affectionless control, whereas the young subjects in the control group perceive theirs as optimum both in the group of mothers and in the group of fathers. The final conclusion is that this study shows the importance of the family role both in the field of prevention and in the field of intervention.

O consumo de crack tem se constituído numa problemática de saúde pública pelas diversas consequências individuais, familiares e sociais que provoca. O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a relação entre a perspectiva de suporte familiar de usuários de crack, de familiares e de técnicos sociais do Programa ATITUDE, analisando as possíveis implicações dessas percepções na assistência aos usuários e seus familiares. Optou-se por desenvolver a dissertação na modalidade artigos. No primeiro artigo, foi realizada uma revisão narrativa baseada em 23 artigos pesquisados nas bases de dados BVS, Scielo Periódicos e ScienceDirect, no intuito de avaliar as contribuições dos estudos às estratégias públicas de enfrentamento ao crack. Os critérios adotados para a seleção dos artigos foram: 1) artigos sobre "crack e políticas públicas", publicados nos últimos cinco anos e, 2) estudos com a população ou sobre a política pública brasileira. Como resultado foram incluídos nove artigos epidemiológicos, três sobre clinica das drogas, três sobre contextos de uso e violência, sete sobre representação social e mídia e um sobre família. Aspectos como mudança na assistência comunitária, políticas intersetoriais, vigilância e controle epidemiológicos, melhor integração entre os organismos que trabalham para a redução da demanda e aumento de pesquisas clínicas, foram ressaltados como importantes para a proposição de políticas públicas. O segundo artigo vem atender ao objetivo principal do estudo, sendo realizado com 62 participantes. Inicialmente foi aplicado em 46 usuários de crack, vinculados ao Programa ATITUDE, o Inventário de Percepção de Suporte Familiar (ISPF), que apresentou uma elevada consistência interna (&#945;=0,88). Na segunda fase, foi realizada uma entrevista semi-estruturada com oito usuários selecionados entre os 46 iniciais, quatro familiares e 12 técnicos sociais do programa. A média de idade desses usuários foi de 30 anos (DP=6,98), cujo perfil sociodemográfico remete a usuários, em sua maioria: não casados (78,3%), que residiam sozinhos (52,2%), com ensino fundamental incompleto (63%), advindos de famílias sem convivência entre os pais (65,2%) e que responderam ao IPSF com referência à família de origem (87%). Foram encontradas correlações significativas entre morar sozinho e ter uma baixa percepção de suporte familiar (r=0,324; p=0,05). A análise por fator, também evidenciou uma correlação significativa entre o Fator 1 (afetivo-consistente) e tipo de família (r=0,460; p=0,01) e com quem reside (r=0,309; p=0,05). Na etapa qualitativa, foi realizada uma análise de conteúdo temática, revelando-se, em linhas gerais, quatro temáticas principais para usuários e familiares, quais sejam: influência familiar, relacionamento familiar, lidar com problemas e expressão de sentimento. Para os técnicos, foram identificadas outras quatro temáticas: contribuição familiar, atividades terapêuticas, abordagem à família e relato de experiência. A predominância da percepção de um baixo suporte familiar (t (44) = -4,428; p<0,05), evidenciada na análise quantitativa, foi consoante com a fala dos demais participantes durante a entrevista. Em consonância com a literatura, neste estudo também se constatou a predominância do apoio materno e a influência dos pares se sobrepondo à da família na relação dos usuários com o crack. Discute-se, à luz da Teoria Social Cognitiva, a influência que a autoeficácia familiar e a modelação social exercem sobre o consumo de substâncias. Essa reflexão nos revela a importância de se efetivar uma proposição já contemplada na Política Nacional de Assistência Social, que remete a um olhar mais sistêmico sobre a questão do consumo do crack, contemplando tanto as necessidades do usuário como de seus familiares. Acredita-se que os paradigmas poderão ser aprimorados no sentido de favorecer novos modelos de políticas na atenção aos usuários de drogas, em especial de crack. / Crack usage has constituted a public health problem by the various individual, family and social consequences it causes. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between family support perspective of crack users, family and social technicians from the ATTITUDE program, analyzing the possible implications of these perceptions on the assistance for users and their families. We chose to develop the thesis in the format of articles. In the first article, we reviewed narratives based on 23 articles surveyed in the VHL databases Scielo Journals and Science Direct, in order to assess the contributions of these studies to public coping strategies with crack. The criteria adopted for the selection of items were: 1) articles on "crack and public policy," published in the last five years, and 2) studies with the population or on the Brazilian public policy. As a result, it was included nine epidemiological articles, three on clinical drug, three on contexts of use and violence, seven on social representation and media and one about family. Aspects such as change in Community assistance, intersectional policies, surveillance and epidemiological control, better integration between organizations working to reduce demand and increase in clinical research, were highlighted as important in proposing public policies. The second article is an answer to the main objective of the study, being conducted with 62 participants. Initially, it was applied to 46 crack users, linked to the Program ATTITUDE. Inventory of Family Support Perception (ISPF), which showed a high internal consistency (&#945; = 0.88). In the second phase, a semi-structured interview with eight selected users was conducted between the 46 initial four families and 12 social workers program. The average age of these users was 30 years (SD = 6.98), whose socio-demographic profile refers to users, mostly: not married (78.3%), who lived alone (52.2%), with incomplete primary education (63%) coming from families without coexistence between parents (65.2%) who responded to the IPSF with reference to the family of origin (87%). Significant correlations were found between living alone and having a low perception of family support (r = 0.324; p = 0.05). The factor analysis also showed a significant correlation between Factor 1 (affective-consistent), and family (r = 0.460; p = 0.01) and with whom resides (r = 0.309; p = 0.05). In the qualitative stage, a content analysis was performed, revealing themselves, in general, four main themes for users and families, such as: family influence, family relationships, dealing with problems and expression of feelings. For technicians, four other themes were identified: family contribution, therapeutic activities, approach to family and experience report. The predominance of the perception of a low family support (t (44) = -4.428, p <0.05), as evidenced in the quantitative analysis, was consonant with the speech of the other participants during the interview. In line with the literature, this study also found the prevalence of maternal support and peer influence overlapping the familys as observed in the link of users with crack. It is argued in the light of Social Cognitive Theory, the influence family self-efficacy and social modeling have on substance use. This reflection reveals the importance of executing a proposition already included in the National Policy for Social Assistance, which refers to a more systemic view on the issue of crack consumption, covering both user needs and their families. It is believed that the paradigms can be improved in order to encourage new policy models in the care of drug users, especially crack.

Due to the speed at which the crack has earned place in society and because it has been considered, nowadays, a major social problem, this work aimed to analyze the social representations assigned to the users of crack and its use in the perspective of users, their families and health professionals. The study was conducted according to the referential of the Theory of Central Core. The survey was conducted in four CAPS, where thirty crack users, twenty relatives and thirty health professionals were interviewed. Data collection used an interview with evocative questions. The data were organized and processed by the EVOC software and the socio demographic data were analyzed by the software SPSS. In the group of users, the most significant representations regarding crack relate to the issue of dependency, as well as in the group of relatives, although using different terms. In turn, health professionals held to the motivation for the consumption and the consequences that this use entails. It was found that the groups, in general, define crack as a drug that destroys the person in various spheres of life and is highly addictive. About inductive term crack users, the most significant representations concern the care, focusing on the need of assistance this user has, given that its destructive power hinders its abandonment. However, there were some specifics among groups. The results indicate the hopelessness of users finding support from people to confront this drug. Similarly, the family presented negative evocations, although not directed to the user, but to changes in the family caused by the problems arising from the use of crack. In professional discourses, the difficulty in daily contact with these users prevailed, which limit its work with them. It was noted, finally, the absence of changes prospect with regard to the future of crack users between the groups and a noticeable disbelief in relation to their recovery. These results indicate important concerns, such as the challenges faced by health professionals concerning their performance against the dependence of the crack and the difficulties of treatment and prevention measures. Therefore, it is expected that this study provides support for establishing future studies in social psychology and mental health, and the creation of new shares that increase attention to these users, as well as their adherence to treatment. / Pela velocidade com que o crack tem ganhado lugar na sociedade e por ser considerado, hoje, como um grande problema social, este trabalho tomou como objeto de estudo as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack. O postulado da Teoria das Representações Sociais é apreendido pelas diversas áreas de conhecimento, tornando-se eixo de pesquisas importantes para a revelação da realidade, possibilitando a investigação de fenômenos com abrangência social, como a drogadição. Desse modo, a pesquisa buscou analisar as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack atribuídas por usuários em acompanhamento, familiares e profissionais que os acompanham no CAPS. Pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar a relação entre essas representações e as práticas do serviço do CAPS no acompanhamento dos usuários de crack. O estudo com abordagem quanti-qualitativa foi desenvolvido de acordo com o referencial da Teoria do Núcleo Central. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro CAPS, sendo três localizados no interior do estado de Sergipe e um na capital, Aracaju. Participaram do estudo trinta usuários de crack, trinta profissionais e vinte familiares. Para coleta de dados, elaborou-se um roteiro para uma entrevista aberta com temas norteadores. Foi utilizada ainda, a técnica de evocação livre. Para análise de evocações, os dados foram organizados e processados através do software EVOC. Para análise discursiva foi utilizado o software Alceste, desenvolvido por Max Reinert. Os resultados da pesquisa servirão como contribuição para estudos futuros na área da psicologia social e da saúde mental, visando um maior entendimento da substância psicoativa crack, suas implicações e repercussões.

Due to the speed at which the crack has earned place in society and because it has been considered, nowadays, a major social problem, this work aimed to analyze the social representations assigned to the users of crack and its use in the perspective of users, their families and health professionals. The study was conducted according to the referential of the Theory of Central Core. The survey was conducted in four CAPS, where thirty crack users, twenty relatives and thirty health professionals were interviewed. Data collection used an interview with evocative questions. The data were organized and processed by the EVOC software and the socio demographic data were analyzed by the software SPSS. In the group of users, the most significant representations regarding crack relate to the issue of dependency, as well as in the group of relatives, although using different terms. In turn, health professionals held to the motivation for the consumption and the consequences that this use entails. It was found that the groups, in general, define crack as a drug that destroys the person in various spheres of life and is highly addictive. About inductive term crack users, the most significant representations concern the care, focusing on the need of assistance this user has, given that its destructive power hinders its abandonment. However, there were some specifics among groups. The results indicate the hopelessness of users finding support from people to confront this drug. Similarly, the family presented negative evocations, although not directed to the user, but to changes in the family caused by the problems arising from the use of crack. In professional discourses, the difficulty in daily contact with these users prevailed, which limit its work with them. It was noted, finally, the absence of changes prospect with regard to the future of crack users between the groups and a noticeable disbelief in relation to their recovery. These results indicate important concerns, such as the challenges faced by health professionals concerning their performance against the dependence of the crack and the difficulties of treatment and prevention measures. Therefore, it is expected that this study provides support for establishing future studies in social psychology and mental health, and the creation of new shares that increase attention to these users, as well as their adherence to treatment. / Pela velocidade com que o crack tem ganhado lugar na sociedade e por ser considerado, hoje, como um grande problema social, este trabalho tomou como objeto de estudo as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack. O postulado da Teoria das Representações Sociais é apreendido pelas diversas áreas de conhecimento, tornando-se eixo de pesquisas importantes para a revelação da realidade, possibilitando a investigação de fenômenos com abrangência social, como a drogadição. Desse modo, a pesquisa buscou analisar as representações sociais acerca do usuário de crack atribuídas por usuários em acompanhamento, familiares e profissionais que os acompanham no CAPS. Pretendeu-se, ainda, analisar a relação entre essas representações e as práticas do serviço do CAPS no acompanhamento dos usuários de crack. O estudo com abordagem quanti-qualitativa foi desenvolvido de acordo com o referencial da Teoria do Núcleo Central. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro CAPS, sendo três localizados no interior do estado de Sergipe e um na capital, Aracaju. Participaram do estudo trinta usuários de crack, trinta profissionais e vinte familiares. Para coleta de dados, elaborou-se um roteiro para uma entrevista aberta com temas norteadores. Foi utilizada ainda, a técnica de evocação livre. Para análise de evocações, os dados foram organizados e processados através do software EVOC. Para análise discursiva foi utilizado o software Alceste, desenvolvido por Max Reinert. Os resultados da pesquisa servirão como contribuição para estudos futuros na área da psicologia social e da saúde mental, visando um maior entendimento da substância psicoativa crack, suas implicações e repercussões.