Abstract
The purpose of the study was to measure readiness to change profiles of alcohol and other drug abusers, information which is needed in the individual tailoring of treatment. The subjects (N = 780) were Finnish alcoholics and polydrug users receiving inpatient treatment. The instrument used to measure readiness to change was the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (URICA). In the cluster analysis the subjects were placed in groups. The results revealed wide differences in readiness to change profiles, yet not between alcoholics and polydrug users. Higher education, female gender, living with minor children and marital state were consistently associated with better readiness to change. Those coming on an entirely voluntary basis and those aiming at abstinence were also more ready to change than other subjects. Abstinence in this population is generally a realistic objective, which many clients adopt after some unsuccessful attempts at controlled use. The article contemplates the significance of the findings in the light of earlier profiling studies and the treatment of substance abuse.