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Updated on 08/06/21
People who struggle with substance use disorder usually have a difficult time committing to treatment at first. It isn’t about lack of desire to change; often, the impact of addiction has become catastrophic by the time treatment is needed. There are hundreds of reasons people with addiction might be reluctant to make the leap into recovery, even when they are well-aware that they need to do it. Motivational enhancement therapy can help someone struggling with the decision to get sober.
What is motivational enhancement therapy? To define motivational enhancement therapy (MET), we must look at the purpose of the modality. MET is not meant to directly treat substance use disorder; it is a methodology to help people with addiction make the decision to quit using. Similar to motivational interviewing (MI) treatment, MET helps people with addiction to identify their “why” for quitting, figure out what stands in the way and the factors that would influence the decision to quit.
Benefits of Motivational Enhancement Therapy in Addiction Treatment
The use of motivational enhancement therapy for alcohol dependence is particularly effective. MET helps people with alcoholism to move through ambivalence quickly in order to access treatment.
Motivational enhancement therapy for substance abuse, as well as MET for eating disorders, can be a practical means of getting the necessary help sooner; it helps people work through the barriers to change. MET can be helpful for a variety of conditions in which an indifference for change gets in the way of recovery.