Da infância à velhice: um estudo de caso sobre a dependência de substâncias psicoativas em comunidade terapêutica de Porto Nacional / Tocantins

Abstract

This master's dissertation investigates the social experiences of elderly men undergoing treatment for substance dependence, who are welcomed into a therapeutic community located in the municipality of Porto Nacional, in the state of Tocantins. This is a case study that aims to understand the trajectories of these individuals from youth to old age, considering the use of these substances and their family, social, and institutional interactions. It is based on the perspective that aging, as a natural phase of life, can be deeply impacted by historical and social factors, such as exclusion, unemployment, and structural violence — elements that contribute to the worsening of drug dependence over time. More specifically, the research seeks to identify the main milestones in the life stories of these individuals, understand how social factors influenced the development of addiction, and understand how narratives of overcoming contribute to a more humanized and inclusive approach. To this end, an applied methodology was adopted, with a qualitative, phenomenological, exploratory, and descriptive approach, in order to value the subjective experiences of the participants and capture the complexity of the phenomenon studied. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with six elderly men undergoing treatment in a therapeutic community, allowing for a sensitive and in-depth listening of their experiences. The results indicate that the use of psychoactive substances is not necessarily linked to the aging process itself, but rather constitutes an unfolding of trajectories marked by social, emotional and economic vulnerabilities since youth. Consumption, often starting in adolescence or early adulthood, tends to intensify over the years, especially in the absence of family support and effective public policies. The narratives reveal that drug addiction in old age is accompanied by feelings of loneliness, abandonment, exclusion, and loss of identity, but also by stories of overcoming obstacles that strengthen self-esteem and promote the reconstruction of autonomy. The analysis highlights the urgent need to increase investment in public mental health policies, as well as in the training of professionals capable of dealing with the specific needs of the elderly population in vulnerable situations. Such measures are essential to address the stigma that still hangs over elderly substance users and to promote an intersectoral and inclusive approach that values human dignity. By recognizing drug addiction as a phenomenon that is affected by social processes throughout life, this research contributes to the construction of more sensitive, effective care practices that are committed to dignified aging, social inclusion, and collective well-being.