Alcohol and Drug Abusers' Reasons for Seeking Treatment.

Author(s)

John A. Cunningham, University of Toronto
Linda C. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Mark B. Sobell, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Janet Gaskin

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Addictive Behaviors

ISSN

0306-4603

Publication Date

11-1994

Abstract

Clients at two different treatment facilities were asked at assessment how influential each of 10 possible reasons were in their decision to change their alcohol or drug use. Clients at both facilities most often endorsed “weighing the pros and cons of drinking or drug use” and a “warning from spouse.” Client's reasons for seeking treatment were also examined in relation to treatment compliance. Three reasons — “weighing the pros and cons,” “hitting rock bottom,” and experiencing a “major lifestyle change” — were predictive of treatment compliance. Clients who rated any of these reasons as influential were more likely to enter and complete treatment. Although more research is needed, knowledge of clients' reasons for seeking treatment might be useful in treatment matching.

DOI

10.1016/0306-4603(94)90023-X

Volume

19

Issue

6

First Page

691

Last Page

696

NSUWorks Citation

Cunningham, J. A., Sobell, L. C., Sobell, M. B., Gaskin, J. (1994). Alcohol and Drug Abusers' Reasons for Seeking Treatment.. Addictive Behaviors, 19(6), 691-696.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/89