Progressive stage transition does mean getting better: A further test of the Transtheoretical Model in recovery from alcohol problems

Nick Heather, Johannes Hönekopp, David Smailes

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    20 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aims: To test two central assumptions of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) regarding recovery from alcohol problems: (i) individuals making a forward transition from pre-action to action stages will show greater drinking improvements than those remaining in pre-action stages; and (ii) individuals remaining in pre-action stages will not demonstrate improvements in drinking outcomes. Design and setting: Large, multi-centre, randomized controlled trial of treatment for alcohol problems [United Kingdom Alcohol Treatment Trial (UKATT)]. Measurements: Stage of change, drinks per drinking day and percentage days abstinent at baseline, 3- and 12-month follow-ups. Findings: In support of TTM assumption 1, improvements in drinking outcomes were consistently greater among clients who showed a forward stage transition (Cohen's d = 0.68) than among those who did not (d = 0.10). Two tests of assumption 2 showed a significant improvement in drinking outcomes in non-transition groups, inconsistent with the TTM; one test showed a significant deterioration and the other showed equivalent drinking outcomes across time. An explanation is offered as to why, under the relevant assumption of the TTM, clients in non-transition groups showed small changes in drinking outcomes. Conclusions: In contrast to a previous study by Callaghan and colleagues, our findings largely support the TTM account of recovery from alcohol problems in treatment. The discrepancy can be explained by the use in our study of a more reliable and valid method for assigning stage of change.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)949-958
    Number of pages10
    JournalAddiction
    Volume104
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009

    Keywords

    • Alcohol problems
    • Stage of change
    • Stage transitions
    • Transtheoretical model
    • Treatment
    • UKATT

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