Factors associated with not ready to stop using substances among adults with an unmet treatment need: findings from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health 2015-2019

ABSTRACT

Background: A better understanding of factors associated with not ready to stop using substances may inform provider engagement with clients who have an unmet treatment need.

Objectives: This study explores how treatment barriers, the number of SUD symptoms, and types of substances used are associated with not ready to stop using substances among adults with an unmet treatment need.

Methods: The data came from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Eligible adults met DSM-IV criteria for substance abuse and dependence and reported an unmet need for treatment. Among our sample (N = 1,017), a majority self-identified as male (weighted 59.3%). We employed multivariable logistic regression to examine individual-level factors associated with not being ready to stop using substances.

Results: About 38% of the respondents reported that they were not ready to stop using substances. Reporting access barriers (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.68) and attitudinal barriers (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.80) was associated with a lower odds of not ready to stop using. Each additional increase in SUD symptoms was associated with 23% higher odds of not being ready to stop using (aOR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.34). Having a diagnosis of alcohol and/or marijuana abuse or dependence was associated with higher odds of not being ready to stop using when compared to respondents without these diagnoses (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.33, 3.40; aOR = 1.82 95% CI: 1.11, 2.99).

Conclusion: Not ready to stop using substances may be impacted by the type of SUD, number of SUD symptoms, and certain barriers like access and attitude to care.

KEYWORDS:

• Not ready to stop using
• substance use disorder
• treatment barriers

Disclosure statement

Dr. Szlyk has served as a consultant with Google Health. We have no other disclosures to report.

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2023.2230611.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) [Grant No: K02 DA043657 (Dr. Cavazos-Rehg)], and [Grants No: T32DA015035 and K12DA041449] from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Drug Abuse or the National Institutes of Health.