Recovering from addiction can be long and terrifying to some people who may lack the motivation to stay sober. It explains why there’s such a high relapse rate. According to the National Institutes of Health, the addiction relapse rate accounts for about 50%.
Over time, the individual may feel the treatment is unimportant and quit. One treatment approach that can help with long-term sobriety is motivational interviewing.
What is the primary goal of motivational interviewing? This blog explains what it is and its concept.
Cedar Oaks Wellness Center is a Cincinnati drug and alcohol rehab center that offers evidence-based therapy options for those in need. Contact us today to learn more about how our Ohio inpatient drug rehab center can help.
What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational interviewing is a therapy method that involves engaging a patient in a life-changing conversation. This conversation is initiated to encourage intrinsic motivation to alter a harmful behavior. MI, in short, focuses on the individual by addressing the behaviors that could have triggered any damaging behavior.
In MI, the therapist and the client establish an intimate connection, which makes both parties feel like partners rather than a professional and clients. If you have relapsed but don’t know how to get back on track, contact a health specialist center to get started.
What is the Primary Goal of Motivational Interviewing?
MI strives to resolve any ambivalence associated with the individual’s behavioral changes. The therapist does this by working with the client and intentionally influencing them to find motivation from within to make necessary changes. This is the goal of motivational interviewing.
Other goals of motivational interviewing are to engage the individual and encourage them to open up. It releases tension and all the negative emotions. The therapist may find unwelcoming behavior that needs to be changed for the individual’s betterment.
For therapists, explaining the essentiality of changing is typically insufficient to achieve these goals; instead, you need to collaborate, evoke, allow autonomy, and give room for exploration. These techniques will make the individual comfortable and reach for their motivation residing deep and within.
Motivational Interviewing Concepts
As mentioned, MI aims to motivate clients to adopt positive behaviors. However, the client doesn’t jump to recognizing and accepting behaviors. They carefully move through various stages under professional directives for the change to occur.
Some clients approach therapy differently and are not wanting yet to change. The beauty of MI therapy is it’s non-confrontational, patient, and non-judgmental. It allows patients gently process their behaviors and go through each stage of readiness to change. In due time, the client will embrace change and adopt positive behaviors.
Typical Motivational Interviewing Technique
In a typical MI, the therapist adopts the following approach;
Engagement
The therapist or counselor starts conversing with the client regarding their issues, concerns, and aspirations. This is to establish a trusting relationship. The client must be ready to verbalize and resolve the inner conflicts, otherwise, engagement will be lost.
Focus
The medical personnel narrows the conversation to patterns and behaviors the clients wants to alter or replace.
Evoke
The therapist constantly emphasizes the importance of change and encourages their motivation for change. The therapist ensures the client is ready to change by eliciting their confidence and focusing on their intrinsic. This confidence is stirred from within. If it’s forced, the chances of relapsing maximize.
Planning
Creating practical steps to implement the changes is the next step for therapists. They help clients resolve their conflicting selves and determine the process of change.
Create the Right Environment
The therapist ensures the client is safe and comfortable. Conversations should be made in an empathetic environment that focuses on the present. Avoid asking confrontational questions and persuasive statements. This creates a messy and uncomfortable situation for the client.
Readiness Assessment
This is the most delicate and challenging part. The therapist must be 100% attentive and observant to notice the motivational signs.
Cedar Oaks Wellness Center Can Help You Start Your Recovery Journey
We have answered what is the primary goal of motivational interviewing and explained its concept. It can be challenging to overcome addiction without combating your negative feelings about the recovery process. Motivational Interviewing can help you adopt a more positive sense toward recovery.
