Motivational Interviewing in Addiction Counseling: Breaking the Ambivalence

Introduction

It is your first time as an addiction counselor in a rehab setting. You are finding it hard to

impact change in your clients. You have tried using cognitive behavioral therapy to help your

client identify negative thinking patterns sustaining the vicious cycle of addiction but

sometimes it feels like you're hitting a brick wall. You are becoming frustrated and feel like

hammering the truth into your client's mind. Before you call it a day and refer the client to a

much more experienced counselor/therapist there is one last trick up your sleeves that you

can include in your therapeutic approach, and yes, it could make a big difference in your

client's recovery journey.

The trick up your sleeve

So what is this trick? In my short-lived experience as an addiction counselor, I have come to

realize that clients are more receptive to you and therapy when you avoid the expert,

all-knowing role. They are more receptive when they feel part of the therapeutic approach.

While involving the client and building rapport with them is a key principle for therapy, no

other approach does it better than motivational interviewing. So what exactly is motivational

interviewing?

Getting Acquainted with Motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach that is often used in the treatment of

addiction. It is a collaborative, person-centered approach that is designed to help individuals

resolve ambivalence about making changes in their lives. The goal of motivational
interviewing is to help individuals identify and build on their motivations for change, rather

than imposing change from the outside.

The approach is based on the principle that people are more likely to make lasting changes

when they are internally motivated to do so. Motivational interviewing seeks to tap into this

internal motivation by helping individuals explore and resolve any ambivalence they may

have about changing their behavior. It is not a directive or confrontational approach but

rather focuses on helping individuals discover their reasons for making changes and building

on their strengths and resources.

Motivational interviewing is often used in conjunction with other evidence-based treatments,

such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help individuals overcome addiction and achieve

lasting recovery. It can be particularly helpful for individuals who may be resistant to change

or who have struggled with addiction for a long time. If you are a counselor working with

individuals with addiction, learning and implementing motivational interviewing techniques

can be a valuable tool in your practice.

But what makes MI stand out from other approaches? For starters it is:

● Non-confrontational: MI is a non-confrontational approach that focuses on the

person's motivations and goals, rather than trying to change their behavior through

confrontation or criticism. This can create a more positive and supportive

environment for change.

● Person-centered: MI is a person-centered approach that emphasizes the person's

autonomy and self-determination. It recognizes that people are the experts on their
 own lives and goals, and helps them to explore and resolve their ambivalence about

change.

● Goal-oriented: MI is goal-oriented, focusing on helping people set and work towards

specific goals that are important to them. This can help people feel more motivated

and committed to making positive changes.

● Flexible: MI is a flexible approach that can be adapted to fit the needs and preferences

of different individuals. It can be used in a variety of settings, including one-on-one

counseling, group therapy, and community-based interventions.

● Evidence-based: MI has been extensively researched and is effective in a variety of

settings and for a range of behaviors and problems. There is strong evidence to

support its use in areas such as substance abuse treatment, weight management, and

chronic illness management.

Conclusion…

Ultimately, the goal of motivational interviewing is to help individuals struggling with

addiction find the motivation and desire to seek treatment and make positive changes in

their lives. By creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment, a motivational

interviewer can help individuals overcome their fears and doubts and take the first steps

toward recovery. With the right support and guidance, individuals can overcome their

addiction and achieve lasting recovery. So don't throw in the towel just yet! With MI in your

arsenal, you have the power to help your clients break free from the cycle of addiction and

build a better future for themselves.

Now that you have an idea of what motivational interviewing is, see you in the next blog

article where we will motivational interviewing techniques