Public policies on alcohol and other drugs are under construction and the problems in this context shows to be a challenge to workers of that field. Among the gaps identified, pointed out the need for review of methods, both in the field of epidemiology as the proposed treatment offered. Accordingly, this article presents a brief review on the main logic operative in health and a critical analysis on the issue of alcohol and other drugs and then discuss the use of case studies in CAPS AD Joinville, proposing their organization from dimensional axes (spatial and temporal). As a result, we emphasize the innovative character of the proposal as praxis able to strengthen the uniqueness of health care for people with problems resulting from the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
case study; methodology; public policy; alcohol and other drugs