Behavioral functions of drug use in marital narratives: From progression to treatment of substance dependence

Abstract

This chapter presents behavioral functions of the use of psychoactive substances, from seeking treatment to maintaining abstinence, throughout marital stories of substance-dependent individuals. Four couples (n = 8), in which an individual is substance-dependent (alcoholic or dependent on multiple substances), were participants. Data collection was obtained through narrative interviews, according to the Schütze technique. The substance use function was inferred from verbal elements of the couples' narrative, integrating narrative analysis with contingency analysis, according to Skinner and Todorov. The results showed that both responses of late perception of use which were considered problematic by the wife/family as well as responses showing a lack of information about chemical dependence and the phenomena/behaviors which characterize it are related to the delay of searching for treatment, maintaining the behavioral pattern of the dependence. The responses in the treatment and maintenance phases of abstinence are reinforced by hospitalization and continuity of the treatment after discharge, with the participation of the wife.