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Patient Reactance Moderates the Effect of Directive Telephone Counseling for Methamphetamine Users

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined the impact of the interaction between patient reactance and treatment directiveness on the effectiveness of telephone aftercare for methamphetamine dependence. METHOD: Reactance was assessed at baseline, and participants were randomly assigned to directive or nondirective treatment conditions. Logistic regression tested for the significance of the interaction as a predictor of 3-month and 12-month use of methamphetamine and stimulants. RESULTS: A significant interaction was observed at the 3-month follow-up, in which the directive condition was less effective for patients higher in reactance and was more effective for patients lower in reactance. Among patients at a high level of reactance, the nondirective condition increased the likelihood of abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that, in the context of telephone-based care, directive interventions offer short-term clinical benefit for methamphetamine users who readily accept influence from authority figures, whereas nondirective interventions offer benefit for patients who do not readily accept influence. The short-term nature of these effects indicates that there is a need for brief but ongoing telephone support to maintain treatment gains.

Source: Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs

DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2012.73.844

Authors: Mitchell Karno, David Farabee, Mary-Lynn Brecht, Richard Rawson

Institution: University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse