Men's workshop-group: masculinities, substance use and gender-based health care in an alcohol and drugs psychosocial care center

Abstract

The aim of this study was to critically assess the implementation of a men's workshop-group (MWG) in an alcohol and drugs psychosocial care center (CAPS-AD). The MWG was born out of a partnership between a public university and the CAPS-AD guided by the principles underpinning the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) set out in the National Policy on Comprehensive Men's Healthcare (PNAISH). The discussion of the group is structured around five core themes: (1) group formation; (2) construction of group identity; (3) collective production of subjectivities and masculinities; (4) mirror: me and other men; and (5) "this is a group that makes men cry". We concluded that the MWG fosters care that combines the deconstruction of hegemonic masculinities with psychosocial care for problematic drug use. Participants recognized their vulnerability, shared experiences and feelings, and strengthened self-care for coping with problematic substance use.