Determinants of Readiness to Change among Treatment-seeking Patients with Substance Use Disorders in a Psychiatric Facility in Lagos State

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed at identifying the association between sociodemographic and clinical variables in substance users and their readiness to change. Study Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Lagos between July and September 2023. Methodology: We included 161 participants with ICD-10 diagnosis of substance use disorders. Participants were assessed using a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire and Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) was used to assess the readiness to change alcohol and other drug use with three subscales—Recognition, Ambivalence, and Taking Steps. The relationship between sociodemographic and clinical correlates of readiness to change were analysed using the Chi square test. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 26 at 95% confidence interval. Results: Among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), the presence of physical illness was significantly associated with higher recognition (p = 0.02) and ambivalence (p = 0.04), while lack of previous treatment predicted greater “taking steps” toward change (p = 0.01). For those with drug use disorder (DUD), previous treatment history was linked to lower ambivalence (p = 0.03), and shorter duration of illness was associated with higher recognition (p = 0.02). No other clinical characteristic was significantly related to readiness to change at the 5% level. Conclusion: Readiness to change among patients with SUDs in this Nigerian sample was influenced by treatment history, physical comorbidity, and illness duration. These findings underscore the need for individualized motivation-enhancing interventions that consider prior treatment experiences and health comorbidities to improve substance use outcomes in resource-limited settings.