Enabling factors for behavior change among people with alcohol dependency: An exploratory study in a mental health-care facility

ABSTRACT

Background: Alcohol dependence has become a major public health problem with many implications on the lives of dependents and their families. Objectives: The objectives of this study is to ascertain the enabling factors to seek medical help and continue behavior change among alcohol dependents and to assess the perceptions of health-care providers regarding treatment-seeking behavior of alcohol dependents. Methods: The present study deployed the transtheoretical model (TTM) as a theoretical framework for analyzing the enabling factors to seek medical help and continue behavior change among alcohol dependents and to understand the perceptions of health-care providers dealing with alcohol dependents at a tertiary care psychiatry hospital in Guntur of Andhra Pradesh. In-depth interviews and desk review of hospital records were done. Respondents included treatment-seeking individuals for alcohol detoxification (action phase), patients attending follow-ups (maintenance phase), and mental health professionals at the study site. The study was conducted during August and September 2017. Qualitative analysis using thematic framework and MS EXCEL for quantitative data was used. Results: Themes and subthemes emerging out of analysis were fitted in stages of TTM of behavior change. In the process of behavior change, there were key supportive elements such as problem awareness (precontemplation), availability and accessibility of services (contemplation), appropriate treatment modality (action), and alcohol anonymous groups (maintenance), which sustained the progress of change and yielded effective outcomes. Conclusions: Alcoholism needs to be addressed holistically rather than focusing only on biological treatment.