For many people, addiction is an all-encompassing problem that can cause their lives to spiral out of control. Drugs and alcohol become the most important part of their lives, and everything else falls by the wayside. They may make bad choices but feel unable to stop themselves. In order to get back on track, recovering addicts need to first find the motivation to do so, but their journey is only just beginning. Motivational interviewing at our rehab in Chicago may be able to help them maintain this drive throughout treatment so that they can see real positive change.
What Is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling technique that works to help patients find internal motivation to make positive changes in their life. During this process, a therapist with specialized motivational interviewing training will practice reflective listening and attempt to coax the patient into talking about their current behaviors as well as their reasons for wanting to change.
For many people, change is difficult and may come with a feeling of ambivalence, but by talking about the discrepancy between their current actions and their end goal, patients are better able to overcome their hesitations and find the motivation they need to make these big life changes. Motivational interviewing has been used to treat the management of some physical ailments as well as to treat substance abuse.
What Are the 5 Basic Principles of Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling approach designed to help individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change. The five basic principles of Motivational Interviewing are:
- Express Empathy:
- The therapist communicates understanding and empathy, showing genuine care and concern for the individual.
- Empathy involves listening actively, reflecting on the individual's experiences, and understanding their perspective without judgment.
- Develop Discrepancy:
- MI aims to help individuals recognize the discrepancy between their current behavior and their broader goals, values, or desired outcomes.
- By exploring and highlighting this discrepancy, individuals are motivated to consider change more seriously.
- Roll with Resistance:
- Rather than confronting or opposing resistance directly, MI encourages therapists to "roll with" or navigate resistance.
- Resistance is viewed as a signal to adjust the therapeutic approach, fostering a collaborative rather than confrontational atmosphere.
- Support Self-Efficacy:
- MI emphasizes the belief in an individual's ability to make positive changes.
- Therapists encourage and support the individual's belief in their capacity for change, reinforcing self-efficacy and confidence in the change process.
- Develop Autonomy:
- MI recognizes the importance of respecting the individual's autonomy and personal choices.
- Therapists avoid imposing their agenda and work collaboratively with the individual, allowing them to make informed decisions about their behavior and change.
These principles are designed to create a therapeutic environment that fosters motivation for change, acknowledges the individual's perspective, and empowers them to make decisions in alignment with their values and goals. Motivational Interviewing is often applied in various healthcare settings, including addiction treatment, to enhance individuals' readiness to engage in positive behavioral changes.
Using Motivational Interviewing for Substance Abuse
At our Chicago drug rehab, we understand that recovery from addiction is a journey that requires help from various angles in order to see long-term success and great improvement. While many facilities focus on overcoming the physical dependence that is addiction, substance abuse often comes with many psychological issues and hurdles as well. Our goal is to help our patients improve their lives in every aspect and to help them grow as individuals. This is accomplished through the simulated interviewing process, where specific questions are asked in order to help patients come to their own positive conclusions.
Common motivational interviewing questions for substance abuse include:
- What kind of drug do you use, and what do you enjoy about using it?
- What are the positive feelings that arise when you take them? What about the negative?
- What worries does your drug use bring about?
- Is there anything you have noticed about your drug use patterns? Has it changed over time?
- What are some concerns of yours that you believe are problematic or may become a problem in the future?
- What have loved ones told you about your substance abuse?
- Why do you think these individuals would be worried about you?
- Why do you think that you need to change your substance abuse habits?
- What has your substance abuse cost you in life? Does this influence your desire to change?
- What consequences may occur if you persist in your current habits?
- What are some possible negative results of giving up drugs or alcohol?
In order to set our patients up for long-term success, patients in our programs are exposed to a combination of medical treatment methods as well as Illinois addiction treatment therapies. In particular, motivational therapy for substance abuse can help patients look at the bigger picture of their recovery. Addiction can do far more than cause your body to become dependent on a drug. It can lead to health problems, codependency and other relationship struggles, financial difficulties, legal issues, poor decisions, and more.
Many people in recovery seek professional help because they want to not only stop abusing drugs or alcohol but also because they want to improve the overall quality of their lives that has waned since becoming addicted. While the idea of change is great, taking active steps to do so can be much more challenging. Motivational interviewing for addiction is just another way to ignite the patient’s motivation for change and to help propel them forward on their recovery journey.
At Banyan Treatment Center Chicago, we believe that you can make this change, and programs like our partial hospitalization program are designed to help you recognize your ability to do so. If you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse problem, contact us now.
Other Treatment Options
Most Insurance Plans Accepted
At Banyan Chicago our goal is to make sure that anyone who needs treatment from drug and alcohol addiction are able to get the help needed to assist them on the road to recovery. If you don't have insurance contact us to inquire about alternate methods regarding treatment for yourself or a loved one.
