Stories of mothers with a child in a situation of substance use: coping mechanisms

Abstract

Through in-depth interviews, the experience of two women and mothers with a child in a situation of consumption is related. Using the dialogic method, the mechanisms that these people have used to face this situation in their lives are identified. The document has received feedback from both women throughout the process, especially in the conclusions. Describe the experience of women with a child in a situation of substance use, identifying coping mechanisms. This study is qualitative, based on the life stories of two women; mothers, over 45 years old, heads of household, state officials and living in the Capital. In the analysis carried out from the reports of each of the participants, it is possible to identify very similar characteristics related to the variables: family situation, work, and the mother-child relationship. Likewise, even opposite aspects were found, especially in relation to individual characteristics and life projection. Rather than feeling of justification and concealment of the behaviors related to the use of drugs of the children, the common feeling is of loss of control as well as denial of responsibility with the addicted child, for being of legal age. The main resource used by both women, especially in the most critical moments, is spiritual belief, supplication and prayer. Another important resource is the workplace, which becomes the main space for oxygenation and containment, a resource to regain energy and return home. Silence and withdrawal is closely associated with a total disbelief in the institutions and the few services offered by the state.