Abstract:
The aim of the presented study was to conduct a Polish adaptation of the Decisional Balance Scale by W. Velicer et al. The attempt was also made to answer a question about the differences in the area of decisional balance in addicts who complete or break therapy, continue abstinence after treatment and those who return to drinking. Research was conducted on 397 alcohol addicted persons who begin a therapy. Patients who completed treatment were retested in the last week of stay at the Centre. A group of people maintaining abstinence one year after the start of therapy and those who returned to drinking were distinguished. The Decisional Balance Scale by Velicer et al. and the Motivation Questionnaire to Maintain Abstinence from Alcohol by Ziółkowski were used. Results. The Polish version of the Scale was found to be reliable and valid method. Principal component analysis identified 2 factors (like in original version). Differences within a single dimension of decisional balance between people who completed and those who broke therapy were noted. In the course of therapy an
increase in decisional balance scale, advantage of arguments against drinking was proved.
