Nataly consuming cocaine paste, in a moment of loneliness and despair. Her consumption, which has lasted for more than 15 years, reflects not only a chronic addiction, but also the absence of emotional support and the lack of meaning in her daily life.
Nataly kissing a young woman. Although she identifies as bisexual, her emotional bonds with women have been more significant, marked by the care and emotional support she did not find in her relationships with men, many of which were marred by abuse.
Natalia shows cuts on her arms. During crises of anxiety and withdrawal, Nataly looks for ways to relieve the emotional pain that overwhelms her, in an attempt to find some calm amid the suffering.
Nataly’s home, a place marked by precariousness and loneliness. Here she lives with her daughter and her sick mother, facing daily economic hardship, emotional neglect, and the aftermath of years of substance abus
Nataly consumes cocaine paste while pregnant. A friend touches her belly, trying to sense if her daughter reacts to the consumption. The scene reflects the normalization of drug use in vulnerable environments, as well as the lack of access to support networks and timely care during pregnancy.
Nataly during her pregnancy, a period marked by problematic drug use, lack of emotional support, and precariousness. Despite the difficulties, she tried to care for her unborn daughter in an environment marked by loneliness and vulnerabilit
Nataly shares a moment of closeness with a friend, one of the few spaces where she feels heard and accompanied. In the midst of a life marked by pain, emotional relationships offer her moments of support and emotional respite.
Nataly with her newborn daughter in her arms. Despite the difficulties she faced during her pregnancy and her drug use, the birth of her daughter marked a moment of hope and a deep emotional connection in her life.
Nataly is in a state of withdrawal due to lack of drugs. During these moments, she faces intense physical and emotional crises, reflecting the profound suffering caused by withdrawal syndrome.
Nataly’s mother, visibly worn down by her illness and the difficult situation she is going through due to her daughter’s prolonged addiction. Her face reflects the physical and emotional exhaustion that comes with caring for a loved one in such complex circumstances.
Nataly’s daughter, a girl growing up amid the difficulties and challenges facing her family, symbolizing hope and the need for support for a better future.
Nataly’s house, a small and modest space where the economic and emotional difficulties faced by the family coexist. This place reflects the daily struggle to maintain a home in the midst of adversity.
Nataly buying cocaine paste, a reflection of the reality of many people trapped in the use of this highly addictive drug, linked to social precariousness and a lack of support networks.
Nataly’s daughter playing at home, a moment of innocence and joy amid an environment marked by challenges and difficulties.
Nataly’s mother comforting her daughter and granddaughter after a heated family argument. Amidst conflict and tension, this gesture reflects the search for reconciliation and the desire to maintain unity in a home marked by adversity.
Nataly’s house, a modest refuge where daily struggles, economic insecurity, and the desire to build a peaceful space for her daughter and mother intertwine, despite the difficulties they face.
Nataly’s daughter spends long periods locked in her room, reflecting the emotional difficulties and lack of stimulation she faces in a complex family environment marked by precariousness.
Nataly’s mother spends most of her time in bed due to her lung problems, facing physical and emotional exhaustion that affects both her health and family dynamics.
Natalia is undergoing detoxification, spending long periods locked in her room while dealing with intense withdrawal symptoms, a difficult and painful moment on her road to recovery.
Nataly’s daughter spends long days alone, sometimes absent-minded and lost in thought, showing signs of sadness and depression amid a complex family environment.
Natalia’s story (38) reflects a complex reality that goes beyond addiction: it is the testimony of a life marked by loneliness, lack of affection, and a profound existential void. For more than 15 years, she has been a user of cocaine paste, trapped in a cycle she has been unable to break, largely due to the absence of an emotional and social support network.
Despite several attempts at rehabilitation, Natalia has had to face her struggle alone. Her environment offers her neither support nor hope. She lives in silent loneliness every day, where the weight of raising her daughter and caring for her bedridden mother becomes an almost unbearable emotional burden. She feels she must sustain a home from exhaustion, without strength, without a clear direction, and without space to heal.
The detection of her drug use during pregnancy and the brief rehabilitation process that followed highlight the lack of sustained intervention by the health system. Natalia did not just need to quit drugs: she needed to rebuild her life with dignity, affection, and ongoing support. The lack of employment and educational opportunities further exacerbates her exclusion.
The use of cocaine paste, introduced in Chile in the 1980s, is closely linked to contexts of vulnerability. Its low price and easy access have made it a prevalent drug in impoverished sectors. The devastating effects—neurological, pulmonary, and cardiac—are compounded by the emotional deterioration caused by the environment in which it is consumed.
Chile leads South America in cocaine paste consumption, with adolescents being the most affected group. According to the 2019 National Study on Drug Use in the School Population, 1.7% of schoolchildren have used this substance, with an alarmingly early age of onset: 13.8 years.
Natalia’s case reveals the urgency of addressing the drug problem from a comprehensive perspective. It is not enough to address addiction as an isolated issue; it is essential to consider the context of neglect, precariousness, and meaninglessness that surrounds it. Public policies are needed that include prevention, mental health, support networks, and emotional support, especially in contexts where life seems to offer no way out.
This long-term project began in approximately 2009 and continues to this day.
