COGNITIVE INDUCTIONS INTO TREATMENT AMONG DRUG-USERS ON PROBATION

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a cognitive tool desi gned to enhance drug treatment motivation among a sample of drug users on probation in a residential treatment facility (N = 33). The task i nvolved listing the negative consequences of drug use as well as the p ositive consequences of abstinence as they relate to seven ''divisions of the self'' (e.g., social, mental, behavioral, physical, emotional, motivational, and spiritual/philosophical). Although performing this cognitive induction task within the first 10 days of treatment (immedi ate induction) did not appear to enhance motivational readiness for tr eatment, a comparison group receiving the induction strategy 1 month a fter entering treatment (delayed induction) scored significantly highe r on motivational indices than did those in the immediate induction gr oup. It is suggested that involuntary treatment recipients require a b rief acclimation period before shifting their focus from external pres sures (e.g., reacting against authority and newly imposed structure) t o internal events (e.g., personal evaluation of the consequences of dr ug use).