Effects of Alcohol-Related Protective Behavioral Strategies on Readiness to Quit Among Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Objective: To examine the direct and indirect effects of alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies (PBS) on readiness to quit alcohol among individuals diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Baghdad.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at drug rehabilitation centers and psychiatric hospitals in Baghdad. A convenience sample of 274 adult patients diagnosed with AUD was recruited. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included three validated tools: the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale (PBS), and the Alcohol Stages of Change Short Form (ASC-SF). Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation, ANOVA, and PROCESS macro modeling were employed for analysis using SPSS v27.

Findings: The majority of participants (78.8%) were in the Precontemplation Stage of Change. Protective behavioral strategies showed a significant positive effect on readiness to quit alcohol (p = 0.0004). Socioeconomic status moderated this effect significantly (p = 0.0286), while age and quantity of alcohol consumed did not demonstrate significant interaction effects. Most participants reported high-frequency alcohol consumption (≥4 times per week), and a strong association between PBS usage and improved readiness to change was observed.

Conclusion: Alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies are effective in enhancing readiness to quit alcohol, particularly when contextualized within socioeconomic dynamics. Tailoring intervention programs based on motivational stages and promoting PBS can support earlier transitions from precontemplation to action stages among individuals with AUD.