Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment (9 CE)

Course Level: Intermediate

This course is for: Social Workers, Psychologists, Practitioners, Marriage & Family Therapists, Addiction Practitioners, and Graduate Students

Course By: Helen Hinton, LPCC

Content By: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series No. 35. SAMHSA Publication No. PEP19-02-01-003. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2019.

Course Description: Motivation is a fundamental change component that serves as a catalyst for the promotion of positive behavior. Motivation is particularly integral to the change process for individuals who are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder.  Motivational enhancement is an approach that builds on the premise that motivation is inherent in all individuals, and that individuals are motivated to engage in behaviors that promote autonomy and self-efficacy. Motivational enhancement is an integrated approach that merges the counseling style and principles of Motivational Interviewing with the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of the Stages of Change (SOC). This blend enables multiple biopsychosocial components of motivational enhancement to be applied throughout all of the Stages of Change, culminating in a dynamic and effective treatment process.  The application of this treatment modality is typically resultant in increased substance use treatment participation, increased patient retention rates, and decreased substance use rates among patients. The purpose of this course is to link empirically supported research with motivational approaches deemed effective for assisting patients with achieving and maintaining lasting behavioral change.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how motivational enhancement strategies reflect changing perspectives respective of addiction and addiction treatment.
2. Identify the stages in the Stages of Change model and explain how the Transtheoretical Model serves as a framework for creating strategies that are dynamic, multidimensional, and changeable
3. Describe the elements of effective motivational counseling approaches
4. Understand the types of motivational counseling approaches, including assessment, feedback, screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT)
5. Identify the ways motivational counseling approaches can be applied to diverse cultures and patients with co-occurring disorders
6. Understand the tenets of Motivational Interviewing and the way in which this treatment approach is used to normalize and resolve ambivalence, empower patients, and enhance motivation for change
7. Learn key counseling strategies that are necessary for developing a therapeutic alliance and moving patients from the Precontemplation Stage to the Contemplation Stage
8. Understand the way that motivational strategies can be used to help patients move from the Contemplation Stage to the Preparation Stage, and the role of ambivalence during this process
9. Examine the process of identifying and clarifying change goals that endeavor to propel the patient from the Preparation Stage to the Action Stage
10. Understand the ways change is sustained and supported in the Maintenance Stage
11. Learn how motivational counseling approaches can be integrated with other treatment approaches

Course Outline:

• Read and understand Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Enhancing Motivation for Change in Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP)
• Read and review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Consider avenues for establishing readiness for change including establishing rapport, building trust, and raising doubts and concerns
• Consider research findings pertaining to the foundational theories that support motivation and behavior change
• Consider strategies and approaches of motivational counseling
• Become familiar with the application of Motivational Interviewing (MI) in all stages of the SOC model
• Understand the use of reflective listening throughout the MI process of engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning
• Consider the application of motivation counseling when working with diverse cultural groups
• Work through the post-test questions; bear in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective journal article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to review the identified resources for additional adaptations and methods for employing MI in group counseling

Approvals: