Motivation Enhancement Therapy in Addiction Treatment
Table of contents
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a form of talking therapy used to help people positive changes in their lives. Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction treatment is designed to assist individuals in overcoming substance use by increasing their own motivation for change.
Increasingly, it is used in rehab centres to help people recover from addiction.
While group therapy remains the cornerstone of the therapy in rehab, MET is a very useful adjunctive treatment and can easily be used alongside a 12 STEP/SMART or eclectic group process.
MET works by helping someone, caught up in the grip of addiction, to learn how they can change their own thoughts and behaviours. For those affected by addiction, Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction principles guide many in finding new approaches toward recovery.
Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction:How many sessions does it involve?
Usually, after an initial assessment there are four sessions. In Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction programs, session number and frequency may vary by individual intent and progress.
Each session is personalised to the exact needs of the individual. In addition, Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction protocols help make treatment more tailored to the person.
The early sessions will focus on evaluation the information from the your assessment and setting goals.
The latter sessions are there to provide the person with perspective and positive reinforcement for staying abstinent and sober. By focusing on Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction principles, clients gain perspective and encouragement.
How MET Works With Addiction Treatment
During your pre-admission assessment and on admission, a clinician will carefully assess you and draw up a treatment plan. A senior therapist/therapy lead will also meet with you to assess if MET is something that you want to take part in and whether it is appropriate for you. For many people, Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction interventions can be life changing.
Many, many people who go into recovery for addiction are experiencing other problems, including diagnosed mental health conditions. Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction approaches often consider co-occurring disorders.
Alcohol and drug addiction is often a result of people desperately trying to self medicate. For people struggling, sometimes Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction treatment can help break harmful patterns.
MET can help someone to process their diagnosis, understand their condition and manage symptoms. This is a core benefit of Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction strategies.
Some co-occurring conditions MET treats include:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar Affective Disorder
- Eating disorders
Key Takeaways
- Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction (MET) helps individuals increase their motivation to change and recover from addiction.
- MET typically involves four personalized sessions focused on goal setting and providing positive reinforcement for sobriety.
- The therapy addresses co-occurring mental health conditions, making it beneficial for those self-medicating through substance use.
- Key elements of MET include developing empathy, acknowledging self-perception gaps, avoiding arguments, accepting resistance, and promoting self-efficacy.
- Clients can receive free advice from experienced addictions clinicians, ensuring confidentiality and impartial support.
Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction: What Are the Different Elements?
There are five constituent parts of the process when undergoing MET.
Developing and expressing empathy:
In this phase, clients are encouraged to learn and develop empathy as well as learning how their own actions affect others. Having this awareness can be a really powerful motivator for change. With empathy, the professional relationship will be stronger and the recovery more powerful.
Acknowledging the disparity between thoughts and reality:
When clients enter treatment for addiction there can be some resistance. There is always a gap between where someone thinks they are and where others see them as being. When you can see this gap this can be very powerful. It can be a real kick start to ignite feelings of self motivation to change for the better.
Avoiding arguments:
Easier said than done in everyday life. In MET there is no challenge to you discussing the extent of your dependency. No one is there to judge you. Conversely, the same principal applies to following the process. It works, if you work at it.
Accepting Resistance:
Resistance is perfectly normal in recovery. An essential element of MET is to work through this resistance. The therapist will help you to examine how your behaviours are holding you back. Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction counseling may involve learning how to accept and manage resistance effectively.
Promoting Self Efficacy:
In treatment it is essential that you believe in your ability to achieve your goals. Motivation Enhancement Therapy Addiction approaches foster this sense of belief.
MET teaches clients to have faith in their goals and that they can be achieved. The model works on the premise that you can overcome addiction and achieve goals in life. This is done by conveying positive thoughts and behaviours that reinforce self efficacy.
Get Free Advice From an Experienced Addictions Clinician
You can speak with an experienced addictions clinician for free, independent and impartial advice.
We work in centres, but are not tied to them.
There is no charge for advice or referrals.
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