Why Some People Who Use Drugs Are Ready to Change

People who inject drugs often face big hurdles when thinking about quitting. A recent study looked at what makes someone ready to change their drug use habits. Researchers talked to 472 people in Los Angeles and Denver between 2021 and 2022. They found that people were at different stages of readiness to quit. Some were not thinking about quitting at all. Others were starting to think about it. A smaller group was ready to quit soon. The study found that people who used a mix of opioids and cocaine were more likely to be thinking about quitting. Those who had symptoms of a serious heart infection were also more likely to be ready to change. The study also found that people who got help from support programs were more likely to be ready to quit. But many people said they lacked support from friends and family. They also found it hard to break their daily drug use routines. Some people said big life events, like being in jail or almost dying from an overdose, made them want to quit. The study shows that big life events and health problems can push people to think about quitting. But they also need support to make that change happen. It's not just about one decision. It's about changing their whole lifestyle.