Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Objective: To determine the family type, family structure in a group of patients with a dia-gnosis of substance abuse or dependence who were at a rehabilitation center for addiction during the period between August and October 2009. Methods: Through a descriptive qualitative-interpretative methodology 10 patients who met inclusion criteria for substance dependence or abuse were studied. The fieldwork and transcripts were made for three months by non-participant observation, non-structured interviews and examination of patientsâ�?�? clinical history. Results: Seven of the families interviewed were singleparent families with an unconventio- nal organization on â�?�?gender rolesâ�?. Single-parent families favored loneliness, difficulty in rule-setting, de-idealization of the place of the father in the family structure and a constant search for complicity. In the analysis by categories, we found that in 10 families in the study of individuals with addictions it is common to find family structure characteristics such as inadequate communication, lack of authority rules and limits, presence of triangulations, the lack of cohesion due to the existence of a disconnected relationship pattern and chan- ged roles compared to conventional gender. The search for the affection of the mother at her emotional overload absence of roles and lack of father, raised by the separation of the couple, was found as an essential aspect underlying the addictive behavior. A pattern of parental abandonment is configured.

Biography

The findings confirmed what has been mentioned by various authors regar- ding the characteristics of the family typology structure and personal factors in patients with addictions, in addition to their need for affection combined with the desire for the mother’s presence. The family typology does not determine for itself the abuse of psy-choactive substances, but the influence of other factors such as family structure, especially deficient affective interactions, which should be considered in the development of thera- peutic strategies.

Email: vargaspedro@unbosque.edu.co