How often have we made a new year’s resolution to disappoint ourselves? Go ahead, raise your hands high. Even when we set goals to make our lives better, like eating healthier or getting more exercise, we often give up after a few weeks because it’s too hard, no fun, or we don’t see the desired results.
Add the disease of addiction to that equation and the task becomes seemingly impossible. One out of every 10 people in the U.S. are struggling with alcohol and drug dependency issues. Of those millions, only 11 percent receive treatment for their addiction.
Many people living with addiction desperately want help. Some are afraid to seek the treatment they want and need because of the negative stigma surrounding alcoholism and drug addiction. Still, others do not come forward because they’ve either tried to get sober before and it didn’t work, or they just don’t believe that they can get better.
This is where Motivational Enhancement Therapy, or MET, can be very effective – it helps motivate and empower those who want help but have failed to keep moving toward their recovery goal.
What is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?
Motivational Enhancement Therapy is a non-judgmental and non-confrontational form of talk therapy. It focuses on a person’s desire to get sober and stay sober. Some experts refer to this as “client-centered therapy” because it empowers patients to reach the goals that they have set for themselves.
Basic Elements of MET
- After a thorough assessment, an individual is paired with a therapist to work on problem-solving
- The motivational therapist helps identify underlying causes of issues and dependencies.
- Each session creates a foundation for reaching desired recovery goals
- Labels such as drug addict or alcoholic are never used
- Encouragement and positivity are key aspects for recovery and repairing damaged relationships
Motivational Enhancement Therapy assists people in finding the confidence they need to overcome whatever difficulties they are facing.
MET Combined With Other Treatments
For some people, mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety issues cloud their thought process, making setting and achieving goals much more difficult.
Psychotherapy tools like Dialectical Behavior Therapy can help regulate emotions and teaches exercises to calm the mind for people suffering from these disorders.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another treatment modality that helps replace dysfunctional thinking with rational and realistic thinking and provides coping skills for dealing with problems.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy works well with many modalities and is the motivator to help get the treatment moving in the right direction so all of the various therapy tools can work together and see the addicted person through to a successful recovery.
Related:
What Therapies are Effective for Drug and Alcohol Rehab Treatment?
Ikigai – Discovering Your Passion and Purpose
51 Random Acts of Kindness and Why They Matter
