Bioethics in the reception of psychoactive drug dependents in therapeutic communities

Abstract

The abuse of psychoactive substances is an extremely difficult problem in all its aspects and of worldwide importance, requiring the provision of services to large number of dependents, not always provided by the responsible public sectors. This requires the complementary participation of private non-profit institutions, such as that offered by therapeutic communities. These communities are institutions of different origins, adopt different methodologies and receive hypervulnerable people. This requires that volunteers and health professionals receive an ethical reception during transient residential care, which makes this area a field for the contribution of Bioethics to solve ethical conflicts during admissions. By poor ethical approach there is in literature, especially in Brazil, this article highlights some principles and bioethical references, such as autonomy, secret and confidentiality, alterity, spirituality, solidarity and respectful care and encourages the academic community to contribute to the enrichment of bioethical reflection on care in these institutions.