Improving Early Engagement and Treatment Readiness of Probationers

The current study examined the effectiveness of motivational activities designed to improve early treatment engagement for probationers receiving substance abuse treatment and differential effects on males and females. A total of 294 probationers either received treatment as usual (standard treatment) or standard treatment enhanced with three 2-hour motivational modules. The results indicated that probationers who received the motivational modules perceived their communities as being more engaged and likely to remain clean and sober compared to probationers who received standard treatment, and this was especially true for female probationers (who, in general, demonstrated higher levels of engagement and readiness for treatment than did males). The results also indicated that the motivational activities helped sustain treatment readiness during the first 3 months of treatment.