Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Feb 20:16:35.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-016-0742-8.

Readiness to change is a predictor of reduced substance use involvement: findings from a randomized controlled trial of patients attending South African emergency departments

Bronwyn Myers  1   2 , Claire van der Westhuizen  3 , Tracey Naledi  4 , Dan J Stein  5   6 , Katherine Sorsdahl  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Readiness to change is a predictor of reduced substance use involvement: findings from a randomized controlled trial of patients attending South African emergency departments

Bronwyn Myers et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: This study examines whether readiness to change is a predictor of substance use outcomes and explores factors associated with RTC substance use among patients at South African emergency departments.

Methods: We use data from participants enrolled into a randomized controlled trial of a brief substance use intervention conducted in three emergency departments in Cape Town, South Africa.

Results: In adjusted analyses, the SOCRATES "Recognition" (B = 11.6; 95 % CI = 6.2-17.0) and "Taking Steps" score (B = -9.5; 95 % CI = -15.5- -3.5) as well as alcohol problems (B = 4.4; 95 % CI = 0.9-7.9) predicted change in substance use involvement at 3 month follow-up. Severity of depression (B = 0.2; 95 % CI = 0.1-0.3), methamphetamine use (B = 3.4; 95 % CI = 0.5- 6.3) and substance-related injury (B = 1.9; 95 % CI = 0.6-3.2) were associated with greater recognition of the need for change. Depression (B = 0.1; 95 % CI = 0.04 -0.1) and methamphetamine use (B = 2.3; 95 % CI = 0.1 -4.2) were also associated with more ambivalence about whether to change. Participants who presented with an injury that was preceded by substance use were less likely to be taking steps to reduce their substance use compared to individuals who did not (B = -1.7; 95 % CI = -5.0- -0.6).

Conclusion: Findings suggest that brief interventions for this population should include a strong focus on building readiness to change substance use through motivational enhancement strategies. Findings also suggest that providing additional support to individuals with depression may enhance intervention outcomes.

Trial registration: This trial registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201308000591418) on 14/07/2013.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Stein DJ, Seedat S, Herman A, Moomal H, Heeringa SG, Kessler RC. Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in South Africa. Br J Psychiatry. 2008;192:112–7. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.106.029280. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Roerecke M, Obot I, Patra J, Rehm J. Volume of alcohol consumption, patterns of drinking and burden of disease in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2002. Afr J Alcohol Drug Stud. 2008;7:1–15.
    1. Wechsberg WM, Myers B, Kline TL, Carney T, Browne FA, Novak SP. The relationship of alcohol and other drug use typologies to sex risk behaviors among vulnerable women in Cape Town, South Africa. J Aids Clin Res. 2012;S1(15). doi:10.4172/2155-6113.S1-015. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Di Cesare M, Khang YH, Asaria P, Blakely T, Cowan MJ, Farzadfar F. Inequalities in non-communicable diseases and effective responses. Lancet. 2013;381:585–97. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61851-0. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Seedat M, Van Niekerk A, Jewkes R, Suffla S, Ratele K. Violence and injuries in South Africa: prioritising an agenda for prevention. Lancet. 2012;374:1011–22. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60948-X. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types