The aim of the study is to identify the influence of emotional dependence on the couple as a risk factor in the initiation and maintenance of the psychoactive substances in a sample of 20 women, users of a residential treatment program.For this, a mixed methodology and a concurrent transformative design were used.The results suggest that emotional dependence represents a risk factor for the psychoactive substances, this influence being more significant in the maintenance of the problem than in the beginning of the same.Likewise, the influence of implicit cognitive and behavioral behaviors on these patients is reflected in avoiding dysphoric emotions, pleasing the couple, attracting attention and maintaining the relationship.Based on the findings, it is suggested to include a program to address emotional dependence in order to optimize its effectiveness, both in the treatment activities and in the prevention of drug addiction in women.