Readiness Assessment Tool for Addictive Behaviors
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Readiness assessment tool for addictive behaviors
I believe that the use of readiness assessment tool for addictive behaviors is effective depending on the willingness of an individual to change. In my perspective, the use of the tool combined with support from loved ones provides tremendous changes. In “Interventions,” Alyssa is addicted to gambling, and Brian is addicted to crystal meth and sex. Alyssa’s desired excitement is achieved through continually gambling and losing an increasing amount of money. She uses her father’s credit card information to access funds to engage in the slot machines. Within two years, she had lost more than thirty thousand dollars in the game.
On the other hand, Brian’s sex addiction is fuelled by the constant use of crystal meth. He is at risk of death if he does not stop the behavior. I believe that the use of readiness assessment tools on Alyssa and Brian would slowly transform their behavior and save them from their addictions.
Need for change
Both Brian and Alyssa are in the pre-contemplation stage in need of change. Alyssa has had several attempts to change her behavior unsuccessfully. For instance, she considered changing her behavior after being almost crushed, and her face was disfigured in a near-fatal accident. Also, her dad always confronts her with unpaid bills so she can be responsible and understands the challenges experienced in life. Similarly, Brian experiences troubles in life that makes him want to change. He is kicked out by his boyfriend due to the failure to take down the addiction. Furthermore, he takes crystal meth to his home after his parents invite him over.
Commitment to change
After the introduction to the interventionist, Brian listens to his parents, sisters, and boyfriend as they read their ultimatums. He agrees to change and accepts treatment. On the other hand, Alyssa focuses on the benefits of gambling and rejects the intervention process. She considers gambling to have no problem hence needs no assistance in behavior change. Therefore, Brian is in the action stage of readiness to commit to the change. He takes definitive actions to change behavior as his family and boyfriend provide positive reinforcement to him. On the contrary, Alyssa disagrees with the intervention; hence, she can be defined as being in the contemplation stage of readiness in committing to change. Although she was willing to change and had initiated the change, she weighs gambling as more beneficial. Her family and friends identified the barrier, addressed the concern, and identified relevant support systems she rejects.
Self-awareness
According to research, the success of quitting a particular undesirable behavior or addiction is, to some extent, determined by the brain’s ability to devote to thinking about oneself (Boonsem & Malarat, 2018). Self-awareness helps Brian to successfully quits his addiction, unlike Alyssa. He commits to change as a result of self-awareness.
Environmental awareness
Unlike Alyssa, Brian considers the welfare of the people around him. He considers not hurting the people around him and his boyfriend. Therefore, he focuses on making a change. He can be defined to be in the action stage of readiness in environmental awareness.
Personal closeness
After unsuccessful attempts, Alyssa and her boyfriend leave the intervention after she rejects treatment. On the other hand, the closeness and love between Brian and his loved ones motivate him to change. Alyssa remains in the contemplating stage of readiness to change while Brian still maintains the Action stage due to his willingness to change for his good and the good of people close to him.
For Brian to maintain his change in behavior, he requires constant follow up from his interventionist and support from his family and boyfriend. Alternatively, he could be placed under a program that would help him understand the benefits of change without inflicting pressure on him.
References
Boonsem, A., & Malarat, A. (2018). Factors Affecting the Behavior and Stages of Readiness to Change Exercise Behaviour among University Students. International Journal of Higher Education, 7(6), 191-197.
Butel, J. A., Banna, J. C., Novotny, R., Frank, K. L., Parker, S. P., & Stephenson, L. (2018, May). Validation of a Collaboration Readiness Assessment Tool for Use by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) Agencies and Partners. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 50(5), 501-505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2017.11.002