Convincing an individual struggling with substance abuse to quit can be a difficult challenge. Just like any other struggle with addiction, psychological factors make it very hard to quit, so a person must be convinced on their own terms that the time is right.
A group of researchers wanted to find out exactly what motivates individuals to give up an addiction. Douglas C. Smith, Leah Cleeland, and Michael L. Dennis investigated the reasons for quitting among emerging adults and adolescents enrolled in substance abuse treatment.
Realizing that different populations of people have different reasons for quitting, the researchers wanted to understand the differences resulting from developmental stages in life. The study examined whether alcohol-disordered and problem-drinking young adults (aged 18 to 25) had different reasons for quitting drinking than adolescents (aged 13 to 17).
The researchers used a large clinical sample of emerging adults and adolescents. The endorsement rates for 26 separate reasons for quitting were compared to see differences between adults and adolescents. The adults and adolescents were matched according to clinical severity.
The researchers used age group multivariate regression analysis to examine total, interpersonal and personal reasons for quitting, and mediation tests were used with variables proposed to be developmentally relevant for emerging adults.
Within both emerging adult and emerging adolescent age groups, self-control reasons were most commonly cited as a reason to quit. Emerging adults reported significantly fewer interpersonal reasons for wanting to quit. The association was partially mediated with one variable: days of being in trouble with one’s family.
There were no differences in personal reasons or total number of reasons between emerging adults and emerging adolescents.
The findings of the study confirm developmental theory that indicates that emerging adults experience less social control, which in the case of this study leads to less interpersonal motivation to avoid drugs and alcohol.
The results of the study indicate that when targeting groups for intervention and education, emerging adults may require specific attention to social supports and altering existing social networks.
Further research is necessary to understand the motivations that propel adults and adolescents to quit any type of substance abuse. The indication that continuing substance abuse may be closely related to self control may be helpful in tailoring treatments to age groups. Treatment centers may be able to counsel adults and adolescents in areas that historically have proved to be important to others in their age group as reasons to quit.
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