NCJ Number
219346
Journal
Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: 2007 Pages: 109-124
Date Published
2007
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the motivation to change substance-using behaviors among youth admitted to publicly funded substance abuse services as well as the effects of motivation to change on treatment outcomes.
Abstract
The study found that the more serious substance users with associated problem behaviors were more motivated to change their behaviors at the outset of treatment than less serious users, and they experienced more substantial declines in their substance use in the course of treatment. Long-term recovery depended on the transformation of motivation to change that stemmed from external sources (e.g., court mandates and pressure from family members) to an internal motivation based in the client's strong desire to have a more satisfying life without substance abuse. The findings suggest that developing a motivation to change through motivational interviewing and related therapies such as motivational enhancement therapy should be a key component of substance abuse treatment programs. The sample contained 129 adolescents 12-18 years old recently admitted to either publicly funded residential treatment centers or inpatient services, as well as regular and intensive outpatient services. Three-fourths of the youth were male, and most were in State custody and had been mandated to substance abuse treatment. All of the youth were participating in the Adolescents in Substance Abuse Treatment Study at the time of data collection. Initial interviews were conducted within 4 weeks of entering treatment, followed by two followup interviews at approximately 7 and 13 months after beginning treatment. The interviews focused on measures of substance use; motivation to change substance-using behaviors; and social, clinical, and legal profiles. 3 tables and 29 references