After someone completes residential addiction treatment, their sobriety journey is still just beginning. Reentering the real world means facing many addiction triggers and challenges, but not everyone has the right mindset to overcome these hurdles or is willing to put in the effort to do so.
While many people agree to get treatment, some may feel coerced into it. They may be getting sober more for their loved ones than themselves. This lack of internal motivation to get and stay sober could be their undoing in the long run. Motivational interviewing techniques are meant to help patients find the intrinsic motivation to change their lives for themselves so that they will continue to do so after treatment.
Motivational Interviewing in Palm Beach
At Behavioral Health of the Palm Beaches, also known as the Center for Alcohol & Drug Studies, motivational interviewing is just one of many behavioral health therapies we use for our patients to aid them in the recovery journey.
During a motivational interviewing session, the patient will sit one-on-one with a trained therapist and have an open and honest conversation. Our therapists ask patients about life goals and past behavior to help them develop an understanding of the gap between who they are as addicts and who they want to be. This line of questioning is intended to show patients the consequences of their addiction in hopes that it will prompt them to make changes for themselves.
Motivational interviewing for substance abuse disorders is not meant to be confrontational. Instead it is meant to be inspiring to patients who may feel that their current situation is what is preventing them from reaching their life-long goals. Our hope is to encourage the readiness to change within the patient rather than having it forced onto them.
The Four Stages of Motivational Interviewing
Motivation interviewing for addiction is a process. It takes time for people to find their motivation to change on their own.
Typically, motivational interviewing for addiction will occur in the following stages:
- Empathy: The counselor seeks to understand the nature of the addiction from the patient’s point of view.
- Establish the Gap: Through this discussion, the hope is that the patient realizes that addiction is holding them back from achieving their goals.
- Manage Resistance: Anytime a person needs to make a significant life change, there is a natural resistance. Our addiction therapists in Palm Beach will work to navigate objections raised by the patient.
- Encourage a Personal Choice: The ultimate goal of motivational interviewing is to encourage patients to make their own decisions about the need to eliminate substance abuse.
Comprehensive Treatment
Because we believe in a comprehensive approach to treatment, motivational therapy is just one of many programs we use at our Palm Beach behavioral health facility. Along with several different psychotherapies, we use other evidence-based practices as well as alternative therapies to help patients heal in all aspects of their life. Not only can this help the patient lead a happier and healthier life when their treatment is over, but also it may help patients reduce their chances of relapse.
