Drugs abuse has turned into a severe public health issue, due to its epidemiology as well as to the consequences of this abuse in the social environment, and its treatment is considered a challenge. The aim was to know how users perceive drugs. A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research was undertaken. The data were produced through an interview with eight users of alcohol and other drugs, who were under treatment at a Therapeutic Community in a small city in the Northwest of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For data analysis, thematic content analysis was applied. The results show that the users' search for drugs is related to their inability to cope with crises and frustrations; in addition, it can make them lose objects, values and their own family. In conclusion, it is important to develop this theme in nursing education with a view to humanized and effective care delivery.
Nursing; Illicit drugs; Drug users