Motivation is a powerful thing; a driving force towards a certain goal. It’s the fuel that keeps us going even when every bone in our body aches for us to stop.

Different things motivate us as human beings. Ask the business mogul who strives day and night to be at the top of his game. Ask the lawyer who wins every case and keeps his firm’s reputation in a good light.

Whatever the case, we’re all motivated by something. This fact alone can help even an addict change for the better. One driving force for an addict is hitting rock bottom. There’s no way forward or out other than to change.

This is where the therapy known as Motivational Enhancement Therapy comes in. Below, we take a more detailed look at it.

What is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?

Right now, you’re probably thinking: not another treatment program! Most individuals facing addiction do not want to join any type of facility for treatment. Acknowledging the problem is just as difficult.

However, you’ve already acknowledged it, which is a battle half won. Now, seeking treatment will only help win the entire battle. Not just for you, but for your family, friends and everything you’ve lost along the way.

This therapy takes on an approach that helps patients deal with their doubts about treatment. It is also geared towards helping the patient stop drug use through pure motivation. The motivation is supposed to come from within the patient and is meant to happen speedily.

The next plausible question is how the therapist manages to do this. The therapist, through several sessions, is supposed to study and learn the behavior of the patient. After that, he/she will then bring them to light and help the patient see how destructive they are. By doing so, the patient should be able to find enough motivation to stop their destructive behavior.

How Does it Work?

The initial process involves an evaluation. You, as the patient, will have to be kept under close watch, especially when you encounter withdrawal symptoms. During this, whenever the symptoms abate and you are strong enough for a session, you’ll meet up with a therapist.

The therapist and you are supposed to bond and form a comfortable relationship. This allows the therapist to get to know you and learn your thought and behavior patterns. Soon after, the therapist will equip you with techniques to help you change your thoughts and behaviors.

Of course, after you’ve fully understood how destructive your behaviors can be, you can develop the motivation.

What Should One Expect During the Sessions?

MET sessions are usually short. They are made up of four sessions with an additional assessment session to initiate the process. In the first session, you are given a response to the initial assessment. This is where you as the patient learn about your behaviors.

What Is its Origin?

The inception of this type of therapy can be traced back to 1993. During Project MATCH, it was among those treatment programs tested. The goal was to find a treatment that can help treat alcohol addiction.

William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick are the ones that developed Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Also known as MET, this therapy is considered a counselling and therapeutic approach towards the study of behavior. The founding fathers based their treatment approach on motivational psychology.

Is It Effective?

Its effectiveness is dependent on the type of drug the patient has abused. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, so far, it is successful in treating two types of cases. According to them, the therapy is successful in treating individuals suffering from alcohol or marijuana addiction.

For the latter type of addiction, MET is combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to increase its effectiveness. As for other types of drugs, the results are mixed.

What Co-Occurring Disorders Can This Treatment Help Treat?

There are different co-occurring disorders that this treatment may also address, including the following:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Bipolar
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Eating Disorders

What Are the Techniques Used in the Treatment Program?

MET adheres to five important principles and/or techniques during the therapeutic process. These five principles help make the treatment more effective and successful. They also help the therapist work well with the patient. They include:

1. Create a supportive environment for the recovering addict
2. Develop a sense of discrepancy between the patient’s current state and his/ her desired state of being
3. The therapist uses softer methods to help the patient realize his faults. This, in turn, helps avoid arguments and defensiveness on the side of the patient.
4. The therapist uses less confrontation during the sessions. Instead, he/she listens to what the patient has to say. This helps reduce defensiveness or any ill feelings from the patient towards the treatment.
5. As mentioned already, the patient is often given the motivation to change. This usually comes after his/her destructive behaviors are made aware to him. However, the therapist goes a step further by helping them realize their ability and strength to change.