Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between relational depth and motivation to change substance use in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. In the study, 78 participants completed the Relational Depth Frequency Scale, the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale, and the Alcoholics Anonymous Involvement Scale. Participants in the current study were recruited from three SUD treatment facilities in publicly or privately funded SUD treatment facilities in the southeastern United States. Linear multiple regression analyses revealed that participant perceived relational depth and participant involvement in substance abuse community support groups statistically significantly predicted participant recognition of a substance use problem. Additionally,number of individual sessions did not statistically significantly predict participant perceived relational depth with an individual counselor. The findings suggest that personal development training of Substance Use Disorder Treatment counselors may be important in client motivation to change substance use.