A codependencia em familiares de adictos

Objective: the study’s purpose has been to investigate the impact of alcohol-addicted relatives on women in social vulnerability situations. Methods: it is a descriptive-exploratory study with a qualitative approach that was carried out with 11 women who were relatives of alcohol-addicted people. Data were collected by semistructured interviews and submitted to content analysis. Results: seven thematic categories were obtained from the interviewees’ speech: 1) causes of alcohol consumption; 2) consequences of alcohol consumption for the addict; 3) family behavior regarding the alcoholic; 4) recurrent feelings from the relatives; 5) sickening of a family with an alcoholic person; 6) types of help/treatment for the alcohol addict and his family; and 7) future expectations about the alcohol addict. Conclusion: both the alcohol addict and his family deteriorate, thus needing follow up.