Alcohol use profile, motivation to quit, and attitude toward drinking in participants of a community alcohol de-addiction camp and a clinical setting: A comparative study.

Abstract

Background: Due to a lack of awareness and inadequate health infrastructure, the treatment gap for any mental illness is increasing in lower- and middle-income countries, including India. As an alternative to institutional treatment, community de-addiction camps play an important role.

Method: This comparative study examined alcohol use profiles, motivation to quit, and attitudes toward drinking in 84 participants, equally divided between a community alcohol de-addiction camp (n = 42) and a clinical setting (n = 42). Data were collected using a socio-demographic data sheet; alcohol use profile questionnaire; AUDIT, DASS21, and SOCRATES scales, and attitude toward drinking scale.

Results: The study found that community-based alcohol de-addiction camp participants were significantly older than the clinical population (p = 0.009). The mean age of alcohol onset was significantly lower in the camp group (p = 0.005), but the onset of regular use and duration of use were similar. Most participants in both groups drank daily. More clinical participants had previously attempted to quit (p = 0.025). There were no significant differences in stress, anxiety, or depression between groups. Camp participants showed higher motivation to quit (recognition: p = 0.15, ambivalence: p = 0.002, taking steps: p = 0.001), while clinical participants had a higher attitude toward drinking (social ease: p = 0.003, pleasure: p = 0.17, economic aspects: p = 0.2).

Conclusion and clinical implications: Both groups showed high daily alcohol use and readiness to quit, but alcohol de-addiction camp participants (ADCP) participants had higher eagerness for treatment and lower attitudes toward drinking. The study highlights the benefits of tailored, community-based interventions.