Abstract

CRUZ, Vania Dias et al. The consumption of psychoactive substances among older adults: a complex perspective. SMAD, Rev. Eletrônica Saúde Mental Álcool Drog. (Ed. port.) [online]. 2021, vol.17, n.4, pp. 54-62. ISSN 1806-6976.  http://dx.doi.org/10.11606/issn.1806-6976.smad.2021.174432.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the pattern of consumption of psychoactive substances among older adults from the perspective of complexity. METHOD: a qualitative survey of the multiple-case study type, carried out with eleven older adults at their homes and/or at a health service; data was collected through documents, unsystematic observation and semi-structured interview; they were analyzed in a general, analytical and theoretical way by comparing the cases; its theoretical axis was complexity, being approved by the research ethics committee. RESULTS: regarding the pattern of consumption of psychoactive substances, two themes were found: encounter with the substance, which identified older adults using legal and illegal substances, and forms of consumption; consequences and motivations of drug use and/or abandonment. Consequences are material/economic losses and crime, and motivations for socialization and escape from stress/anxiety. The older adults who stopped or reduced their consumption adhered to the harm reduction strategy. CONCLUSION: the consumption of psychoactive substances by older adults was evidenced, with space for the success of health/nursing interventions, with the creation of actions/programs with a specific approach to harm reduction.

Keywords : Aged; Drug Users; Health of the Older Adults; Nursing.

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