Coping and Self-efficacy as Predictors of Substance Use during the First Few Critical Months following Substance Abuse Treatment Completion

The literature suggests that the interaction between the exposure to high-risk situations, coping skills and self-efficacy underlie the relapse process. Research has also shown that self-efficacy is related to the avoidance of alcohol use and smoking and that high self-efficacy ratings exhibited during follow-up are associated with less substance use. The present study extended the existing research in these ways. First, self-efficacy was assessed in former substance abusers who had completed out-patient treatment at four follow-up points: 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and 120 days post-discharge. The results revealed significant inverse correlations between self-efficacy and drug use at the 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days follow-up intervals. At the 30 day follow-up, there was a significant difference in the mean total perceived self-efficacy score between those who remain abstinent and those who do not remain abstinent. Lastly, there was a significant correlation between the number of successful coping strategies endorsed and number of days of primary drug use at the 30-day interval. To investigate more thoroughly the coping successes and failures of participants during the first four months post treatment, subjects were asked to describe high-risk situations they had encountered and coping strategies they employed. Responses were analyzed qualitatively and subsequently related to post-treatment drug use.