Factors influencing motivation in alcohol dependence syndrome patients in a tertiary care hospital of Assam

Background: The aim of this study is to study the change in motivation in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS).Design: 50 consecutive patients admitted for the treatment of ADS in a tertiary care hospital were evaluated. It was a cross sectional observational study.Methods: The study was done in a tertiary care hospital in the in-patient department of psychiatry. Structured performa for sociodemographic details. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed by structured clinical interview according to ICD10. SAD-Q (severity of alcohol dependence questionnaire) to assess severity of alcohol dependence. The assessment of motivation was done using the University of Rhode Island change assessment scale at baseline and after 10 days of admission. Data was evaluated keeping the aims and objectives in mind with appropriate statistical method using Statistical package social software (SPSS) version 21 and descriptive statistics was used. Chi square and Fisher exact test were used to assess the significance.Results: A total 64% were in pre-contemplation, 30% in contemplation and 6% were in action stage of motivation at baseline assessment. A significant change was seen in the levels of motivation towards contemplation and action stage after a brief hospital stay of 10 days. Motivation to change had a significant association with education and severity of alcohol dependence.Conclusions: Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment during a short hospital stay results in improvement in readiness for change in patients of alcohol dependence syndrome.