Objective:

To understand the meaning of suicidal behavior among people with drug-related problems.

Methodology:

Qualitative study, focused on Social representations theory and conducted on Psychosocial Care Center for the treatment of People in Abusive Use of Alcohol and Drugs. Semi-structured interviews and a reading of the medical records of the 22 participants were carried out. The analysis of the results was performed using the Laurence Bardin's content analysis.

Results:

Three categories emerged from the study, as follows: Suicide attempt among people with drug-related problems; Vulnerability context of suicidal behavior among people with drug-related problems; Protection context of suicidal behavior among people with drug-related problems.

Conclusions:

People with drug-related problems think that suicidal behavior is associated with despair, personal disrepute, mental disorders, family abandonment, and lack of faith. They realize that there is an increased risk of suicidal behavior among them, but that there are also factors that act as protective of this behavior.

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