title: Characteristics of a treatment-seeking population in outpatient addiction treatment centers in Mexico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Baseline patients' characteristics are critical for treatment planning, as these can be moderators of treatment effects. In Mexico, information on treatment seekers with substance use disorders is scarce and limited to demographic characteristics.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper presents and analyses demographic characteristics, substance use related problems, clinical features, and addiction severity in a sample of treatment seekers from the first multi-site randomized clinical trial implemented in the Mexican Clinical Trials Network on Addiction and Mental Health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120 participants were assessed prior randomization. Chi square or F-tests were used to compare sites across variables. Spearman correlation was used to associate negative consequences of substance use and motivation to change.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of participants were men, and the most prevalent substances reported were alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Participants were predominantly on the contemplation or action stage of change, and this was correlated with the perception of the negative consequences associated with substance use. Participants reported a high prevalence of substance use related problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Substance use related problems, clinical features, and addiction severity reported by treatment seekers are important characteristics to take into account when planning treatment as they facilitate tailoring treatment to meet patients' needs.
authors.affiliation: 1Clinical Trials Unit on Addiction and Mental Health, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente , Mexico City , Mexico.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marín-Navarrete
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Templos-Nuñez
authors.forename: Angélica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eliosa-Hernández
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Villalobos-Gallegos
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernández-Mondragón
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez-López
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galván-Sosa
authors.forename: Rosa E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Verdeja
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Feaster
authors.forename: Viviana E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Horigian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Treatment seekers; addiction severity; outpatient treatment; substance use disorders