A Qualitative Analysis of the Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Continuing or Discontinuing Substance Use Among Mexicans Seeking Treatment

There have been few qualitative approaches to the study of substance use treatment, despite the potential for such studies to provide researchers and clinicians with information that reflects the actual experience of substance users. This study focused on the main themes associated with the perceived advantages and disadvantages of continuing or discontinuing substance use by 74 substance users with comorbid depressive symptoms, prior to entering a brief cognitive-behavioral intervention in Mexico City. Through pile sorting, a structured inductive qualitative method, nine themes were identified as a result of a decisional balance measure: (1) mental health and emotional well-being, (2) beliefs and expectations about substances, (3) physical health, (4) family relationships, (5) social relationships, (6) daily life functioning, (7) finances, (8) sexuality, and (9) functioning in the workplace. The most common themes were “mental health and emotional well-being” and “beliefs and expectations about substances.” The least common were “family relationships,” “sexuality,” and “functioning in the workplace.” Our results suggest areas to be addressed in prevention and intervention programs.