[Why is environmental adaptation and acculturation relevant when seeking to conduct qualitative research in drug dependency services?].

This study conducted at the Outpatient Service of Psychoactive Substances, in the University General Hospital of Campinas, sought to report on an experience of proactive participation to study the life experience of chemically dependent patients attended in a specialized university service. These observations emerged from the researcher's experiences in the environmental adaptation and acculturation period, namely through the researcher insertion in the outpatient service, during the preliminary data collection for qualitative research. This experience was important as it enabled clearer comprehension of the psycho-cultural universe of the population attended and how the relation professional-patient is conducted, broadening the knowledge of the field where the research was later carried out. From this initial entry in the field, it was possible to define the subject-matter and the population being studied more clearly, adapting to the needs and the reality observed in that service, as well as to reflect on the research method that serve to better understand the issues raised, and even draw up a roadmap for future interviews in the study. It was concluded that this preliminary stage is very useful as standard practice in new studies using the same methodology in clinical settings.