Accountability and participation: how to overcome the tutelary character in the psychosocial care center for alcohol and drug users?

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the degree of accountability and participation of user under treatment at the Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drug Users (CAPS-ad) from the harm reduction policy perspective.

METHODS: It is a qualitative approach study, case study type, with 12 users and four professionals from CAPS-ad in a county of Minas Gerais state. Data were collected from April to September 2017, by means of semi-structured interview, participant observation and documental analysis.

RESULTS: Based on content analysis, information was organized in two thematic categories: treatment objectives and motivation for treatment. Conclusions: the study's findings revealed that users should be more held accountable and empowered with regard to their treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: More professional listening is suggested, favoring the constructions of goals befitting users' interests, as contracts.