The Path to Treatment: Does It Matter? Relapse and the Reason for Seeking Treatment
INTRODUCTION
Substance dependence or addiction is a common and deadly illness that leaves many individuals in need of treatment interventions. Unfortunately, there are few illnesses as difficult to treat as addiction and for this reason, health care providers are at odds as to which treatment interventions are most efficacious in eliminating addictions, with many unproven treatment models still widely used (Campbell, 2007). To further complicate the treatment situation, many Individuals With Addictions (IWA’s) do not welcome treatment as a necessary or viable option to address their problem. The perception that treatment is unnecessary among some IWA’s has led to the development of treatment techniques such as motivational interviewing (Carroll et al., 2001). Such treatment involves the use of psychological principles in attitudinal change, particularly those grounded in cognitive and social psychology research.
