Many clients who enter treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction don’t think they need to be in treatment. Often, they minimize their problems and have mixed feelings about committing to abstinence and a program of recovery. Despite repeated relapse, school dropout, pleas from family members and mandates from the courts, clients often lack the motivation to change. Motivational Interviewing is an evidenced-based treatment that has been found highly-effective in increasing motivation to change.
Motivational Interviewing is a nonjudgmental client-centered counseling approach designed to help reduce client resistance about change. MI helps to reduce client resistance by exploring the client’s view of their problems and the pros and cons about change in a collaborative manner. Counselors use a non-confrontational but directive approach to create discrepancy and elicit plans for change from the client. The client’s intentions and plans for change are the best predictors of change often referred to as change talk. Using an empathetic counseling style, counselors roll with resistance and avoid arguing with clients and help build their confidence so that they can make changes in their lives.
Counselors also assess the client’s readiness for change by determining their stage of change. In pre-contemplation the client doesn’t think he/she has a problem so they have no motivation to change. In the contemplation stage the client is thinking about change and benefits from discussing things that are good and not so good about change. In the action phase the client has made a decision to change. Using stage appropriate therapeutic interventions at the right time can significantly increase the client’s motivation to commit them to treatment and long term recovery. Seeking Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs that offer all inclusive approaches to therapy is a key to successful Substance Abuse Treatment in Florida.
Call today to speak to an addiction specialist (561) 859-0930