A pilot study : the effective use of the stages of change model with people in drug counselling

Abstract

Introduction: Many people affected by alcohol and other drug problems seek help from drug counselling services. While these services differ across the country, many counselling services are underpinned by the Stages of Change Model (SoCM). SoCM is comprised of six basic stages: 1) pre-contemplation; 2) contemplation; 3) preparation; 4) action; 5) maintenance; and 6) termination. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Transtheoretical Model’ (TTM), it was originally developed and tested for tobacco smoking cessation, then weight loss and HIV prevention before being used in drug counselling. Despite its widespread use, very little research has been conducted on how SoCM is used, and with what effects. Even less is known about how people from low socio-economic backgrounds respond to the Model in drug counselling. Our pilot study begins to address these gaps. Method: The study focuses on the Drug and Alcohol Council of South Australia (DASSA), a body that regularly uses the Stages of Change Model in the drug counselling it provides. Ethics approval was granted from Flinders University Human Research Ethics Committee (#046/10). 20 qualitative in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 DASSA clients, 4 DASSA drug counsellors and 2 DASSA line managers. Participants were recruited through the Northern and Western DASSA community-based clinics, situated in Elizabeth and Mansfi eld Park, South Australia. Hour long interviews were conducted and client participants were reimbursed for their time with $40 shopping vouchers and assured that their involvement in this research had no bearing on their receipt of DASSA services. Results: A critical analysis of the transcribed interview data was undertaken with the help of qualitative data management software, NVIVO. Conclusions: Preliminary fi ndings will be presented from critically analysed transcripts of 20 Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) clients, counsellors and line managers understand, use and experience the Stages of Change Model.