The care to the alcohol and/or other drugs’ user focuses on the logic of care for extended clinical and harm reduction, under the focus of the user and his family co-responsibility towards treatment.

This study aimed to understand the concept of self-care developed by drug users.

It is about a descriptive exploratory study with a qualitative approach. It was conducted in a center of psycho-social attention (CPSA), in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The study participants were alcohol and/or other drugs users, over the age of 18 years, both sexes and were in treatment in the mentioned service in morning, afternoon and evening shifts. Data collection occurred in consultation records and individual interviews for the sample characterization, and three operating group sessions, one per shift, guided by the question: “what is self-care for you?” The interviews and sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed and submitted to analysis by ALCESTE software.

It was noted that self-care was conceptualized by the drug users from different points of view. For some, self-care is to self-protect, for others it means taking medications. The family, religion and CPSA were identified as a support network for the self-care maintenance. Furthermore, the self-care was related to the desire to recover losses.

This study provided the understanding improvement of the self-care concept, supporting the care practice for the interventions planning, targeting the co-responsibility of the alcohol and/or other drugs users.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.