Self-efficacy for cocaine abstinence: pretreatment correlates and relationship to outcomes

Addict Behav. 2008 May;33(5):675-88. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2007.12.001. Epub 2007 Dec 7.

Abstract

Little research has been conducted on the relationship of self-efficacy at treatment entry to individual differences or to treatment outcome for patients with cocaine dependence. Those relationships were examined in 163 cocaine-dependent patients in a residential treatment program using two measures of self-efficacy administered in the first week of treatment: beliefs about success in quitting in general and confidence about not using in 11 cocaine-specific high-risk situations. The most robust correlates of self-efficacy were greater desire to stop using and lower urge to use in high-risk situations. Age, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, recent substance use, and past success with quitting also correlated with self-efficacy. Both measures of self-efficacy predicted quantity and frequency of cocaine use and abstinence at 3 but not 6 months after treatment after controlling pretreatment cocaine use. Results suggest that treatments should target self-efficacy in cocaine-dependent patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Cocaine-Related Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Cognition
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motivation
  • Residential Treatment
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Treatment Outcome