To develop effective treatment plans it is important to assess one’s willingness to change their behavior. Many individuals with schizophrenia display relatively low motivation to address their substance use disorder. Some tools clinicians can use to determine motivation include:

-- Prochaska and DiClemente’s Five-stage Model of Readiness to Change: Individuals fall into one of five stages (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance)

-- Importance, Confidence, and Readiness to Quit Ruler: Includes a 0 to 10 scale assessment of three factors (importance of quitting, confidence in quitting, and readiness to quit)

-- Decisional Balance: Involves discussing the pros and cons of substance use.

-- Dual Recovery Status Exam: Involves ongoing assessment of psychiatric and addiction symptoms