Gender differences in how intimate partners influence drug treatment motivation

We examine associations between partner-related variables (i.e., partner's economic support, drug use, treatment experience, and recent partner confli ct) and treatment motivation (i.e., drug use problem recognition, desire fo r help, and treatment readiness). Participants were 266 cohabiting or marri ed individuals recruited from STD clinics, emergency rooms, and jails in Lo s Angeles County between 1992 and 1994, who reported recent drug use. Multi variate analyses show that for men, partner-related variables are not stron g predictors of motivation. For women, however, several partner-related var iables significantly predict motivation. Having a partner who has been in t reatment increases the odds of women's desire for help and treatment readin ess, and having a partner who uses drugs decreases the odds of women's trea tment readiness. For both men and women, deriving a greater amount of incom e from self sources than from a partner is associated with increased treatm ent motivation.