Seeking treatment for an addiction shows immense courage. It shows that a person acknowledges they have a problem and are willing to seek help. Unfortunately, fear and lack of motivation are some of the biggest barriers to addiction treatment. Many of those battling addiction simply lack the motivation to seek treatment or lack the commitment to see a recovery plan through to the end.
As the premier addiction treatment center in Missouri, we at Grand Falls Recovery know that motivating those struggling with addiction goes a long way toward improving recovery outcomes. That’s why we use motivational interviewing in addition to our other therapeutic treatment techniques.
What is Motivational Interviewing, and How Does it Work?
Motivational interviewing is a form of psychological treatment used to help people cut down or quit using drugs or alcohol. The main premise of this type of treatment is strengthening an individual’s motivation by giving them more control over their treatment and recovery. Instead of solving the person’s problems, the therapist encourages them to find solutions for themselves.
Motivational interviewing sessions are referred to as interviews and are typically an hour long and are held about 1-4 times a week. The therapist doesn’t impose sobriety on the client but instead supports them in setting their own goals for treatment. Clients who feel empowered and responsible for their treatment tend to have more confidence in their recovery and are likely to put in more effort to remain sober.
There are 4 main processes used in motivational interviewing, each building onto the next. These include:
Engage
At the start of the process, the therapist’s main aim is to put the client at ease. This is done through asking open-ended questions to get to know the client, and their history and encouraging honest dialogue.
Focus
Once rapport and trust have been established, the therapist moves on to helping the client find a clear direction and goal for the treatment. The therapist doesn’t tell the client what to do but instead allows them to articulate what’s important to them and what they’d like to get out of treatment.
Evoke
After the client’s goals are identified, the therapist then tries to evoke the client’s motivations for wanting to make those changes. This helps the client think of the reasons why they want to get sober. Knowing why they’re going through recovery helps reinforce the client’s motivation to stay the course.
Plan
During the last stage, both the client and therapist plan how the client is going to achieve the changes they want. This involves having practical solutions to temptations, triggers, and challenges they’re likely to face. Having a solid plan beforehand makes it easier to avoid relapse. Don’t let a lack of motivation keep you from freeing yourself from addiction. Reach out to Grand Falls Recovery, and we’ll ensure that you receive the best treatment to conquer drug or alcohol abuse. We know what it takes to help those dealing with addiction, and we’ll be glad to help you turn your life around.