Addiction isn’t a choice. Despite that fact, recovery will ultimately be more successful when patients receive motivation and inspiration to make positive and lasting changes. That’s where Motivational Interviewing comes in. Take a closer look at the role of Motivational Interviewing substance abuse therapies, the right candidates for the strategy, what it aims to achieve and how it fits into an extensive recovery plan.
There are two types of patients who enroll in rehab and recovery programs. The first group wants to be there and is motivated and ready to make positive changes. The other group is less committed to the process. Motivational Interviewing substance abuse therapy is helpful for all types of patients, but it is especially beneficial for those who aren’t 100 percent onboard with the recovery process.
First, this approach is engaging. It seeks to get the patient directly involved in his or her own recovery. It also tries to focus patients on the specifics of their future. Motivational Interviewing might require patients to think about the negatives of substance abuse as well as how those negatives impact their career, health, and relationships.
Motivational Interviewing substance abuse therapy is not a vague, generalized form of treatment. It is all about specifics, and it encourages patients to plan for the future. If patients want to make a change, then MI asks them to determine how to make that happen.
For example, a patient might say they want to rejoin the workforce after rehab. In MI, that patient might create a timeline, email an old boss for a reference and update their resume. Concrete steps are highly desirable, and they can pave the way for tangible and immediate changes.
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