Cadernos de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento
ISSN 1519-0307 ISSN 1809-4139
CHOHFI, Maria Cecilia Fricke; MEIRELLES, Juliana de Almeida Castro Marinho SILVA, Claudio Jeronimo da. Comparative study of historical, sociodemographic and adherence characteristics of psychoactive substances users in public outpatient program. Cad. Pós-Grad. Distúrb. Desenvolv. []. 2020, 20, 2, pp.86-104. ISSN 1519-0307. https://doi.org/10.5935/cadernosdisturbios.v20n2p86-104.
The use of licit and illicit substances has grown recently in Brazil. It leads to political, economic, social, and cultural problems. Thus, there was also an increase of demand for specialized treatments. So, it is extremely important to study and categorize the users' profiles to improve the management of the provided service. To define the population served in alcohol and drugs Medical Specialties Clinic treatment program, comparing data from the first year of the service to the data from the second year regarding characteristics in history, socio-demography and patient adherence to treatment. Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study. The sample included 880 patients. Associations between categorical variables by using Fisher's chi-squared and exact tests were observed. Profile with predominance of males in both years. In the first year, singles sought treatment, and in the second one, the number of married people increased. Average age was 37, classes C and D (first year), and E (second year). Most held previous treatments, with an average of 2.6 treatments. 97.1% used alcohol, 85.8% and 68.0% used tobacco and marijuana. The sample of the first year had a higher percentage of improvement (8.0% vs. 4.2%) and abandonment (39.2% against 26.5%). By categorizing the user, it was evident that their profile fitted what was previously identified by other researchers for Brazilian users (men, from social classes C, D and E, at ages between 30-40 years-old); lawful drugs are the most used ones, which facilitates the consumption. Because drug abuse is a recurring condition, the average of previous treatments is 2.6, which negatively affects adherence. Therefore, it is important to know such data so that treatment management becomes easier, and so that that treatment becomes more effective.
: Drug users; Ambulatory care; Substance-related disorders; Health services administration; Medical records.