Inteligencia emocional, motivación al cambio y estrés en el tratamiento para la adicción al alcohol y otras drogas en el norte de México

Abstract

Objective: Analyzing the relationship between emotional intelligence, motivation for change, and stress due to alcohol and drug consumption of people in treatment against addiction. Methodology: descriptive correlational design for a 62 men sample. Results: Of those interviewed individuals, 35.5% had problematic alcohol use and 74.2% had harmful drug use. Emotional intelligence has a positive and significant relationship with motivation for change (rs = 0.290, p < 0.001) and a negative and significant relationship with stress (rs = ‒0.325, p < 0.001), consumption of alcohol (rs = ‒0.272, p < .05) and drugs (rs = ‒0.383, p < 0.01). Limitations: The sample small number, the lacking of inclusion of women and factors related to the environment, such as family and peer influence. Conclusions: Emotional intelligence and motivation to change are inversely related to stress, which is the reason to be considered for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction, because they can contribute to the reduction of stress and, consequently, to coping decisions.