Reducing Polydrug Use among Methadone Assisted Therapy Patients

An Examination of the Motivational Interviewing Strategy

Abstract

Polydrug use continues to rise across the world with more victims suffering from substance use disorders (SUD). Methadone Assisted Therapy (MAT) which has shown significant results in reducing morbidity, increased treatment retention, reduced use of illicit psychoactive substances. This study founded on the self-determination theory, sought to find out the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) on Polydrug Use (PDU) reduction among Methadone Assisted Therapy (MAT) patients. Using a mixed methods approach with a quasi-experimental research design with pre and post strategy in experimental group site A and control group site B. Both treatment and control group received baseline and endline assessment as well as MAT treatment. The experimental group received MI with instant assessment and feedback to reduce polydrug use through self-rating readiness ruler while the control group received Zero MI treatment. The population of the study comprised 2121 patients from which a sample of 120 respondents was obtained through random sampling technique where 60 respondents were assigned to the treatment group and the other 60 in control group. Base line assessment was done for 5 to 10 minutes using: TimeLine Fallback for polydrug use, WHO (Five) well-Being for MAT patient’s wellbeing, self-rating readiness ruler for readiness to reduced polydrug use. Motivation Interviewing took 15 to 25 minutes, 10 participants per group in the treatments group of 6 sessions for one and half months. Data analysis was done both descriptively and with inferential inform of regression and correlations analysis. At three months follow up, effectiveness of MI in the treatment group is evidenced by MAT patients’ significant reduction in polydrug use, improved wellbeing, increased adherence, reduced MAT dosage, increased MAT patients on cessation of MAT dosage as well as reduced patient dropping out MAT.