title: Drug problem recognition, desire for help, and treatment readiness in a soup kitchen population.
abstract: This study determined hypothesized predictors of three components of motivation for change--drug problem recognition, desire for help, and treatment readiness--in a high-risk, drug-using population. The sample consisted of 190 guests at two inner-city soup kitchens in Brooklyn, NY who reported drug/alcohol use and were not participating in substance dependency treatment. Ever receiving addiction treatment, having no trade/job skills, and more severe symptoms of depression were associated with greater drug problem recognition. More recent days of drug/alcohol use, intensive pattern of drug use, and greater problem recognition were associated with greater desire for help. Caring for children, more recent days of drug/alcohol use, physical health problems, and desire for help were the direct predictors of treatment readiness. Problem recognition had a strong indirect effect on readiness mediated through desire for help. Knowledge of a drug user's motivational state and the factors leading to it can help guide the development of more effective interventions.
authors.affiliation: National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI), Inc, New York, USA. pkeze@aol.com
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Nwakeze
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magura
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*