Beyond the Substance: A Relational and Community-Based Perspective in the Treatment of Problematic Substance Use

Kurzzusammenfassung in leicht verständlicher Sprache

This work reflects on the therapeutic role of relational and community-based care in the accompaniment of people experiencing problematic substance use, based on the experience of the Hogar de Cristo in Paraná, Argentina. The model emphasizes hospitality, shared everyday life, and sustained relationships as therapeutic elements that can foster belonging, dignity, and meaningful life projects beyond approaches focused solely on substance use.

Abstract

Hintergrund und Fragestellung
The rupture of meaningful relationships represents a central aspect in many people

experiencing problematic substance use, especially in contexts of poverty and social

exclusion. From this perspective, addictions cannot be understood solely through the

substance or the symptom, but through the subjective, relational, social, and spiritual

complexity of the person.

Methoden
This work presents the experience of the Hogar de Cristo Nuestra Señora de Lourdes in

Paraná, Argentina, as a community-based care model for people with problematic substance

use. The approach is grounded in everyday practices of hospitality, “side-by-side”

accompaniment, and community-building, understanding shared daily life as a therapeutic

and holding environment capable of offering reparative relational experiences and safe,

sustained bonds.

Ergebnisse
The experience suggests that sustained relationships and community belonging can help

many people feel valued, sustain therapeutic processes, and develop meaningful life projects.

In this model, the professional does not function solely as an external expert, but as an active

presence within a caring community also shaped by peer supporters and community

members.

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung
This work proposes understanding addictions as part of a complex life experience that

requires reparative relational experiences beyond interventions focused exclusively on

controlling substance use. Community and shared everyday life may constitute fundamental

therapeutic spaces in the accompaniment of people experiencing problematic substance use.

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Ich bzw. die Koautorinnen und Koautoren erklären, dass während der letzten 3 Jahre keine wirtschaftlichen Vorteile oder persönlichen Verbindungen bestanden, die die Arbeit zum eingereichten Abstract beeinflusst haben könnten.



Alternativ:



Ich bzw. die Koautorinnen und Koautoren erklären, dass während der letzten 3 Jahre die folgenden wirtschaftlichen Vorteile oder persönlichen Verbindungen bestanden: