The place of care adolescents using psychoactive substances, according to their perspective

Abstract

Caring for people using psychoactive substances is historically associated with segregatory practices, even with children and adolescents. This study aims to understand the place of care based on the discourse of adolescents. Participant observation and semi-structured interviews were conducted with six adolescent users of psychoactive substances met at a child and adolescent mental health service. The data were analyzed by thematic analysis and discussed in the light of analytical psychology and of the assumptions of the psychiatric reform. One can conclude that the place of care is not fixed, but depends on how it is carried out, understood, and received, and on how the relational processes are established in the service with the adolescent. From the therapeutic relationships built in the service, it can be understood as temenos, the safe and potentially therapeutic place, where the transformation and development process of the subjects can be supported.