The percentage of people suffering from drug abuse is higher than it has ever been. With the rising popularity and medical approval, various types of drugs have become highly accessible and have flooded the market at low prices. Some people begin their journey by experimenting, but things can take a turn south rather quickly, experimentation turning into an addiction.
For people who cannot prevent themselves from engaging in drug consumption that has become disruptive to them, motivational enhancement therapy can prove to be highly beneficial.
Suppose you know someone or yourself are looking to turn to motivational enhancement therapy for help but are unsure about what it might entail and where you might end up. In that case, we hope that we can help ease your worries with all the information we can provide about these therapy techniques.
WHAT MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT THERAPY MEANS
According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, MET or Motivational Enhancement Therapy is a counseling approach designed to help people resolve their uncertainty about putting an end to abusive drug patterns by receiving professional treatment.
It is directed at fueling the motivation to change and not indulge in those patterns of drug use that are harmful and take the form of drug abuse by changing and attacking the belief itself rather than forcing a person into submitting to the demand to quit without any substantial change in their mindset.
As you might already know, changing a mindset and behavior pattern is not an easy task and requires hard work and patience. Sometimes, motivation can fall short, and a state of confusion can ensue. In these circumstances, a therapist trained in motivational enhancement therapy can help you in the right direction by providing the reassurance and advice that you need.
These therapists are highly trained and work with patients based on five standard techniques, which form the basis of motivational therapy.
THE PROCESS OF MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT THERAPY
In this form of therapy, a therapist works with a client to help create the motivation and mindset needed to want to fight against addiction willingly. The first step in this process is motivational interviewing of the client to gauge the depth of the issue and the factors that demotivate or motivate them.
The method of motivational enhancement therapy revolves around goal making and how the client can pursue that goal with a behavior change and with the help of the counselor to work towards that specific goal.
The main motto of the therapist is to work with the client to remove drug addiction from the client’s routine and introduce something healthier and more productive in its place.
STANDARD TECHNIQUES OF MOTIVATIONAL ENHANCEMENT THERAPY
The five standard techniques of motivational enhancement therapy, as recognized by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and all such institutions, are:
- EXPRESSION OF EMPATHY BY THE THERAPIST AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EMPATHY IN THE CLIENT:
The therapist tries to create an environment that is supportive and free of any judgment, which would help an individual feel comfortable and accepted. Established comfort would allow the therapist and the client to engage in a reflective and critical conversation, enabling them to express their thoughts without any filter and making it easier for the therapist to formulate an effective treatment plan.
The development of empathy in the client is just as important as showing compassion to the client. If the client develops the ability to be empathetic, they will understand better how their drug addiction impacts the lives of those around them. In addition, the realization that their behavior is hurting the ones they love might motivate them to change their behavior.
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DIFFERENCES IN THOUGHTS AND REALITY:
For an individual to start changing harmful behavior patterns into productive behavior patterns, they need to understand the reality of their situation compared to the position they believe they are in or believe are headed towards. A realization that they are moving further away from what they want for themselves because of their drug abuse patterns will most probably allow them to see the error in their ways and provide the intrinsic motivation needed to bring about change.
- AVOIDANCE OF CONFRONTATION AND ARGUMENTATION:
A therapist should be patient and calm in the face of all situations, making the client understand their perspective with a gentle approach. Instead of engaging in arguments or directly attacking a person’s belief if it goes against their own, the therapist must provide the information needed in a constructive way to have an effect and influence change.
- TACKLING RESISTANCE AS A PART OF THE PROCESS
Resistance is an undeniable and unavoidable part of every therapeutic process; it should be accepted and tackled by the therapist with ease. According to Good Therapy, Instead of confronting resistance with a heavy hand, the therapist should expect and get any resistance from the client and deal with it accordingly by diffusing it.
Resistance is one of the most critical steps in the therapeutic process, as it is through this phase, the client becomes most susceptible to change and can finally begin their journey to real change.
If the therapist is compliant, the client is more likely to stay in therapy and benefit from it.
- SUPPORTING SELF-EFFICACY IN THE PATIENT
An essential responsibility of the therapist is to ensure that an individual becomes aware of their ability to undertake the actions needed for change with diligence and a high success rate. A significant factor in which the development and persistence of motivation depend is the belief that the destination is achievable with the correct path. The therapist’s job is to make the client feel confident in their abilities or develop a sense of self-confidence and esteem if it is low or negligible.
Conclusion
Motivational therapy has become popular due to its effectiveness in helping people change patterns of drug abuse. The main reason it has gained so much attention is that it is client-focused and promotes a change from within.
If you are looking into motivational enhancement therapy for help, you should know that it is the best available option to help you make a healthy change.
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