Alcoholic and cocaine-dependent women: a comparative study from a qualitative perspective

Abstract

Objective: To analyze social behaviours of alcoholic and cocaine-dependent women. Method: Six alcoholic women and six cocaine-dependent women in outpatient treatment made up the study sample. The technique used was that of life history interview. Data analysis was carried out based on Grounded Theory. Results: Alcoholic women become dependent through progressive consumption, while cocaine-dependent women begin cocaine use as consequence of a particular event or incident; cocaine use among these women is also related to pleasure-seeking and to drug-dependent partners. There is a social stigma in drug-dependent women – more evident in alcoholics – related to non-fulfilment of tasks and roles that society imposes on women. The illness concept also appears more often in the discourse of alcoholic women than in that of cocaine addicts. As regards the family, it has a double meaning for these women: on the one hand, it is the first context to suffer the consequences of their drug abuse, through lies, petty theft and verbal aggression; on the other, the family is an important source of support in the initiation and process of treatment. Conclusions: Drug abuse has specific social repercussions that should be taken into account in the establishment of appropriate help mechanisms.