Alcohol and drug abusers' perceived reasons for self-change in Canada and Switzerland: Computer-assisted content analysis

Although many people recover from substance-use associated problems on their own, little is known about this phenomenon. The paper had two objectives: to use a new research method, computer-assisted content analysis, to understand alcohol and drug abusers' perceived reasons for self-change and to undertake a comparative evaluation across substances and cultures to validate previous findings about subjective appraisal processes. Three studies of natural recoveries or alcohol and drug abusers in two countries conducted tape-recorded interviews with 216 respondents. The taped responses were coded based on a content analytic dictionary approach using a computerized content analysis program. All three studies found several processes mediating the decision to change substance use. The computer Content analysis confirmed a cognitive appraisal process regardless or the cultural setting or substance. The findings Suggest that several procedures might have benefit in clinical interventions. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts section of this issue.].