Objective: To investigate the motivation to change behavior for reduce binge drinking and to abstain from alcohol.
Material and Method: The subjects of this study were 40 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence and hospitalized in the psychiatric ward at Songklanagarind Hospital between September 2015 and January 2017. Selfadministers questionnaires consist of questions regarding general characteristics, drinking behavior, alcoholic treatment record, the contemplation ladder questionaire, and the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA) questionaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and are presented as a percentage, average, and standard deviation.
Results: This is a cross-sectional study. There were 40 male alcoholic patients: average age was 48.2 years; 85.0% of subjects lived with their spouse; and 45.0% were government officers; 47.5% of participants’ motivation to change behavior was in the action stage; 37.5% was in the preparation stage; 10.0% was in the contemplation stage, and 5.0% was in the pre-contemplation stage. Concerning the motivation to abstain from alcohol: 65.0% were in the contemplation stage and 35.0% in the pre-contemplation stage.
Conclusion: The study found that participants’ motivation to change their behavior was in the action stage and were in the motivation to abstain from alcohol contemplation stage. The results can lead to plan an efficient treatment which the patients in action stage need a plan to relapse prevention while the patients in pre-contemplation stage need supportive motivate to change though and behavior to be in action stage.