[Community therapy as a method to address the problem of alcohol abuse in primary care].

This study aimed to identify the potential of community therapy (CT) as a method to address the problem of alcohol abuse in primary care from a user perspective. This study was carried out at the headquarters of the Quatro Varas Project, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil. This qualitative, ethnographic study used semi-structured interview and participant observation. Of the 20 interviewed participants, one was chosen for an in-depth interview. Two thematic units were constructed: the effects of the therapy on alcoholism and therapy as a social support resource for problems related to alcohol use. Results indicate that the dialogue established during therapy promotes re-signification of the problem and redirects the therapy course towards management of one's own life and search for citizenship. We concluded that CT favors the elaboration of a network of systemic relationships that broaden the understanding of problems caused by alcoholism and is an effective strategy to address the problem in the community health sphere.