Mujeres y consumo de opiáceos: una realidad específica

Abstract

Objective To describe and to analyse the opiates and others drugs use among women, with particularly interest in the patterns of initiations, continue drug taking and quit it. Material and methods It is qualitative study conducted with in 25 women, whose life history was collected through in-depth interviews in the early 90's followed and were up during that decade. Results We have found a steady use of heroin in a women for four years with characteristic usually found with this use. The stereotypes of women addiction held by professionals and users are presented. In relations to patterns of initiation drugs, the women show minor multiple consumption and develop security behaviour. When women are pregnant, they stop using drugs or develop harm reduction strategies. Female drug users are active in the activities directed to the drug use maintenance, the don’t relay on the partners and only some them get they money through prostitution. Finally, some reflections and treatment suggestions are offered: contact with their children during treatment, address trauma caused by sexual abuse and violence, to establish an emotional security and trust environment, empowering a female discourse and to promote educational training and getting a job in order to eliminate women subornation and dependency. Conclusions Its indicates the differential and specific issues which are present in female drug users and the need that treatment programs include a gender perspective