What Do I Need to Succeed? Perception of Motivation and Its Role in the Reintegration Process

Abstract

Internal motivations to abstain from future drug use and to refrain from further criminal activity are major components in changing individual behavior (Deci & Ryan, 1985; Prochaska & Diclemente, 1985), and in particular when changing drug-addictive behavior. According to Ryan (1995), lack of motivation is one of the most frequently cited reasons for relapse and negative treatment outcomes. Prior studies have explored the role of intrinsic motivation to abstain from further drug use on treatment outcomes (Maisto, Carey, & Bradizza, 1999) and its impact on future criminal involvement. Nevertheless, few studies have examined such impact on outcomes for clients participating in a drug treatment program under a seamless treatment rationale (supervision with treatment, Taxman, 1998). In this chapter we will elaborate and expand on current understanding of the importance of motivation on treatment retention and successful rehabilitation, using the perceptions of inmates participating in a prison-based therapeutic community. However, such perceptions may also be held by other (non-incarcerated) substance abusers. Specifically, the current chapter examines perceptions of the importance of motivation to the rehabilitation and reintegration process.

Some of the ideas in this chapter were presented under a similar title in an early version of this chapter that was accepted for publication at the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 2009. The manuscript was first published on March 19, 2009, and is available online at http://ijo.sagepub.com/cgi/rapidpdf/0306624X09333377v1