Will and skill - an exploratory study of substance abusers' attitudes towards lifestyle change.
OBJECTIVE
This exploratory study focuses on attitudes towards lifestyle change among untreated, voluntarily and compulsorily treated Swedish substance abusers (n = 97).


METHODS
Attitudes were measured with scales on e.g. problem recognition, treatment readiness and the time perspective of future orientation. Subjects were categorised into 4 'addict types' according to their viewpoint on changing substance use habits, i.e. 'less change-willing': non-addicts (n = 16) and consonant addicts (n = 32); 'more change-willing': dissonant (n = 13) and transient addicts (n = 36).


RESULTS
It was shown that 'less change-willing' subjects had experienced less dependence disorders and expressed less treatment demand and motivation than 'more change-willing' subjects. A general measure of willingness to lifestyle change correlated with future orientation among 'more change-willing' subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that individuals' time perspectives ought to be considered when trying to illuminate the process of change and understand what attitudes exercise a positive influence on and are associated with successful lifestyle change efforts. The consistency of substance abusers' motivational structures over time and in different social contexts is discussed.
Ekendahl
Mats
M
Addiction Research Group, Department of Social Work, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden. mats.ekendahl@socarb.su.se
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003068:Coercion; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013548:Sweden
D013287:Illicit Drugs