Alcoholism in rural areas: biographical situation of relatives of patients admitted to a general hospital

Abstract Objective: To understand the biographical situation of relatives of alcoholics living in rural areas admitted to a general hospital. Method: Qualitative research, with an approach based on the Phenomenological Sociology of Alfred Schutz. We performed interviews with 15 relatives of alcoholics hospitalized for treatment. The collection took place between August 2015 and July 2016. The information was organized from the phenomenological analysis of Schutz, which resulted in three concrete categories. Results: The concrete categories were: “The lived experiences of the relatives of alcoholics: alcohol consumption in the social world of relatives of alcoholics”; “Face-to-face relationship between relative-alcoholic: overload, illness and estrangement”; and “Reasons that led the relative to take care of the alcoholic”. Conclusion and implications for practice: We identified the repetition of the family history of alcoholism; the clinical picture of the alcoholic interfering with the relationship between the family members, bringing consequences for the whole family group; and the care provided to the alcoholic motivated by affective bonds, moral aspects, as well as by the fact that the alcoholic maintains a good social coexistence when sober. We noted the need for nursing to foster family participation in care actions, strengthening it to cope with the inherent difficulties of interactions, thereby contributing to healthy face-to-face relationships between alcoholics and their relatives.