Content
To aid in a client’s journey, a healthcare provider may engage them in exercises, share information, or recommend handouts. Similarly, a different study showed that MET could positively impact motivation and feelings of self-efficacy. Essentially, MET can be productive in helping individuals begin a journey of change. When combined with cognitive behavior therapy, MET has also been shown to be useful for people with marijuana addiction.
There may other modifications, but these are some strategies people who use MET will employ to help those with dual diagnoses find healing using this method. Prochaska and Diclemente’s transtheoretical model for change proposes that people transition through six distinct, but not necessarily linear, stages in the process of modifying problematic behavior. It theorizes that people are not ready to make a meaningful change until they proceed to the later stages of the model, which often appears to be the reason that substance abuse treatment is unsuccessful. https://stylevanity.com/2023/07/top-5-questions-to-ask-yourself-when-choosing-sober-house.html attempts to help individuals successfully move through these steps in an effort to overcome ambivalence and induce readiness for quitting drugs and alcohol. Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) is a short-term technique used in the treatment of alcohol and substance use disorders.
What Happens in a Motivational Enhancement Therapy Session?
According to The Department of Health and Human Services, the effectiveness of motivational interviewing is backed by research. The treatment program begins with an initial assessment battery that will create a clear picture of the patient and their experience with a substance use disorder. The goal of the treatment plan is the goal the patient themselves sets during intake. The patient shapes the sessions using their own words and experiences as a basis. The therapist then collaborates with the patient to develop a comprehensive treatment that will work even after the patient is done with the therapy.
Individuals are often encouraged to bring a significant other and/or loved one to session to help facilitate this process. The therapist works alongside the individual to monitor change, identify triggers, and review coping and cessation strategies. The goal of MET is to resolve ambivalence and help an individual make change to their substance use patterns.
Holistic Treatment
The action stage is where all the contemplating, planning and preparing comes to fruition. For many attempting to overcome addiction, this is the stage that receives the most focus, as it is the stage at which real change starts to happen. For many trying to overcome substance addiction, the action stage will begin with their entrance to a detox center where trained staff are on hand to help with the early phase of detoxing from substance use. MET is an effective short-term therapy that can prepare you for subsequent therapeutic activities in treatment, such as CBT or DBT. MET engages you where you are, and guides you toward adopting a positive attitude toward treatment and recovery.
- It’s important to understand the four key elements from the motivational enhancement therapy manual if you are considering this counseling approach.
- Early sessions focus on evaluating information from the initial assessment and setting goals for the future.
Therapists also help clients explore coping strategies and encourage commitment to making a change. MET is a therapy designed to quickly produce internally motivated change (Miller, 1992). Based on motivational psychology, MET uses a combination of assessments, goal setting, and motivational interviewing to move a client from ambivalence about their recovery to a mindset of change. Americans are fond of using labels to describe who they are and what’s important to them.
Challenging the Health Benefits of Alcohol: No Amount is Beneficial
Studies suggest motivational enhancement therapy techniques suggest this therapy model is an effective therapy tool. One study shows a 20% or more reduction in drinking among study participants. The most important element of this stage is continuing to make progress and maintaining the progress achieved during the action stage. For those recovering from substance addiction, this means upholding and adhering to the decisions made during the preparation stage and the new lifestyle behaviors introduced during the action stage. This generally means staying “clean” or abstinent from drugs or alcohol to maintain the sobriety reached during the action stage.
- For a client in relapse, this can be fueled by remembering past attempts and how their lives were improving.
- When someone checks into a drug rehab center, they are evaluated to determine their treatment needs.
- The therapist works alongside the individual to monitor change, identify triggers, and review coping and cessation strategies.
- Physicians typically monitor a patient’s vital signs and the body’s changes during withdrawal from the drug.
- MET typically consists of about four sessions after an assessment has been conducted to gather information on the behaviors that will be addressed during therapy.