Lifestyle Change

Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking

Motivational Enhancement Therapy has been found to be particularly effective in helping patients with tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug problems.

This approach is effective for patients who are ambivalent about changing. These patients are referred to as being in the “contemplative” stage of change, and motivational interviewing approaches are effective in shifting these patients to where they make the firm decision to take action to change their alcohol or drug use.

Motivational interviewing has also been found to be an effective approach to patients who are not thinking of changing their consumption. “Unmotivated patients” can be shifted through the use of these to a stage where they are prepared to change.

The goals of Motivation Enhancement Therapy are to support and promote people’s perceptions of their own capabilities – their ability to draw on their own resources and strengths to overcome obstacles and difficulties without relying on their addictive substance to cope. 

Studies also show that training of patients in skills to identify high-risk consumption situations and apply alternative coping strategies (relapse prevention) results in behaviour change. Cognitive restructuring involves both the challenging of positive effects attributed to the consumption and other thoughts that may well precipitate relapse.