Citation

Oser ML, McKellar J, Moos BS, Moos RH. Addict. Behav. 2010; 35(4): 367-369.

Affiliation

Center for Health Care Evaluation (152), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.10.024

PMID

19926399

Abstract

The present study examined the role of ambivalence about change as (1) a predictor of subsequent heavy alcohol use and drinking problems and (2) a mediator of change between entering treatment and heavy alcohol use and drinking problems among individuals self-referring for treatment with an alcohol use disorder. A sample of 439 individuals (49.9% female) who initiated help-seeking was surveyed at baseline, and at 1year and 3year follow-ups on domains of alcohol-related and personal functioning. A series of regression analyses indicated that a measure reflecting ambivalence significantly predicted subsequent heavy alcohol use and related problems and mediated changes between entering treatment and heavy alcohol use and related problems. The findings highlight one mechanism associated with treatment seeking, initiation of and engagement in treatment, and reduction in heavy alcohol use and related problems.

Language: en