Motivational Interviewing

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It is difficult to change a behavior especially when the individual is stuck in a state of ambivalence with thoughts of “I want to change…I do not want to change...” and the constant argument with themselves while weighing the costs and benefits of change. In substance abuse, users understand the cost of their behaviors and the benefits of change however they can also find reasons not to change. Convincing a substance abuse user to change can be difficult, but promising results have been found in a technique many counselors use to help their clients understand on their own why they need to change known as Motivational Interviewing (MI). Motivational Interviewing emerged when other treatment approaches for addiction treatment proved inefficient…show more content…
Roger’s person centered therapy focused on the client rather than the treatment method used by the therapist (Rogers, 1959). In Motivational Interviewing the concept of person centered therapy is applied by the therapist in moving the client towards change by strengthening and eliciting the clients own need and reason for change. Theory of Psychological Reactance influenced the principle of reactance in Motivational Interviewing. When the client is losing control of a situation and the current state of being is uncomfortable, causes stress and anxiety, they are more likely to be motivated to change so they can gain back the control and escape the uncomfortable state they were in. The last model influencing Motivational Interviewing is the Stages of Change Model. Stages of Change Model is comprised of five distinct stages the individual progresses while undergoing behavioral changes: “pre-contemplation (no intention to change the behavior in the foreseeable future); contemplation (consider making a change in the next 6 months); preparation (preparing to make a change); action (actively engaged in making a change); and maintenance (the change has been maintained for 6 months)” (Söderlund, 2010, pg. 14). Since its introduction, Motivational Interviewing has become very popular in the field of addiction as well as other fields, and the number of…show more content…
In a study by Murphy et al., (2012) motivational interviewing intervention was use to target risky behaviors among HIV positive youth by targeting alcohol and marijuana. The specific behaviors targeted were high risk sexual behavior and substance use. Criteria for participation included “English speaking, HIV positive status, ages 16-24 years and engaged in one of the three problem behaviors: substance use, unprotected sex in the previous 3 months, or less than 90% medication adherence” and exclusion criteria included “currently involved in a behavioral research project (assessment or intervention) targeting any of the three behaviors; engaged in a substance abuse treatment program; and having an active thought disorder. (Murphy et al., 2012, pg. 96). 143 total participants were selected and randomly assigned into two groups: intervention group (n=68) and control group (n=75). It is important to get a baseline of every participant’s behavior, current medical state, and provide them with outside support. The sample size of the study is big enough to provide us with enough data. The study did a good job in targeting an age group that is most likely to engage in risky behavior. In addition, the criteria for participation and exclusion help the study control any extraneous variables. During the study, all participants were provided with services of mental health, risk

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