Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs Narrated by Trans Men

Abstract

Using psychoactive substances is a significant marker of coping among individuals in situations of vulnerability. Physical, psychological and institutional violations experienced by the trans population can be propelling this use. Thus, the objective of the study was to analyze how the use of psychoactive substances is present in the therapeutic trajectory of trans men in search of the transsexualizing process in the Brazilian Unified Health System. This is an exploratory study conducted with 31 trans men, over 18 of age, admitted to two spaces of care and reception to trans people in northeastern Brazil. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis. The results show difficulties in accessing the labor market, obstacles in the transsexualizing process, and feelings of hopelessness were reported as motivators to the recurrent use of psychoactive substances. Conversely, protective factors are related to affective bonds, solid social network and control of use due to drug associations. The final considerations are that the analysis of the consumption of psychoactive substances by trans men allowed the understanding of its possible relationship with risk situations to which this population is exposed and its implications for health, as well as enables the problematization and discussion about preventive actions and public policies that recognize and cover their real needs.