Relationships Among Internalized Stigma, Readiness to Change and Treatment Eagerness, and Recovery Among Individuals With Substance Use Disorder in Turkey

Purpose To investigate relationships among internalized stigma, readiness to change and treatment eagerness, and recovery among people with substance use disorder (SUD) ( N = 131). Method This study used a cross-sectional and correlational research design. Multiple linear regression was used for analysis. Results A 1-unit increase in alienation and discrimination experiences led to 0.220- and 0.337-unit increases in readiness to change and treatment eagerness, respectively ( p = 0.001); however, a 1-unit increase in stigma resistance led to a 0.306-unit decrease in recovery ( p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between internalized stigma and recovery and positive correlations between internalized stigma and readiness to change and treatment eagerness; however, there was no significant relationship between recovery and readiness to change and treatment eagerness. Conclusion Early intervention programs targeting internalized stigma in individuals with SUD may improve readiness to change and treatment eagerness and recovery attitudes. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62 (12), 50–58.]