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Running head: MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING AS A GROUP TREATMENT FOR ADDICTIONS

MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING AS A GROUP TREATMENT FOR ADDICTIONS 6

Motivational Interviewing as a Group Treatment for Addictions

Patrice Scope

Coun5258

Instructor: Philip Daniels

01/18/2025

Motivational Interviewing as a Group Treatment for Addictions

Group counseling is crucial in order to treat addiction and any other compulsive-related behaviors. This set of frameworks is unique because it is based on intrinsic motivation as well as behavioral change. This essay presents an analysis of the treatment approach referred to as motivational interviewing (MI), discusses literature on the approach and its impact on the group’s dynamics with regard to recovery.

Literature Review: Group and Addictions Counseling

Among other forms of counselling, motivational interviewing is considered the backbone of the treatment of substance use disorders. It has shown a similar level of efficacy in preventing the development of resistance, engaging clients, and promoting behavior change especially within groups (Moyers et al., 2021). Given its essence as a therapeutic approach, MI does share logistics with the group therapy approaches to mutual support, cohesiveness, and cooperation. These principles contribute to shaping an environment in which participants feel safe to explore their motivations and struggles (Hettema et al., 2020).

A study conducted in 2020 demonstrated MI’s good compatibility with the CBT approach, which is why its use in combination with MI provides the patient with a broader range of interventions against addiction (Schippers et al., 2021). MI assists the participants find out if they have any unresolved doubts and to learn about negative self-talk, while CBT offers ways for modifying it. For instance, a group discussion might be devoted to using different positive statements instead of negative ones, for example, “I will never recover” might be changed for “I am one step closer to a better life.”

Furthermore, MI enhances personally responsible choices as the individual states, or describes the factors that led to change, and defines personal objectives. In group work, it promotes peer pressure which is helpful and ensures that members feel they are in it together which is especially needed for drug/alcohol addicts. Wagner & Ingersoll (2022) further state that the responsibility of creating empathetic, nonjudgmental environment for group members belongs to group leaders. It creates an atmosphere that enables the members to consider the mixed feelings, outcome of the recovery plan and, move on to embrace the recovery process.

Influence of MI on Group Leadership

In a group setting, the principles of MI guide the group leader to care about all the participants and encourage them to be independent problem-solvers. This makes the client very comfortable to open up with the practitioner, which is part of the MI. Reflective listening is one of the most effective approaches that is employed to acknowledge participant’s feelings (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020). For example, if a participant says ‘Guilty’ when they talk about a relapse, the counselor might ask, ‘You must be disappointed,’ but by attending the support group and sharing this, it means you are trying to get better.’ It bypasses the feeling of shame and leads to participation or increased participation in some form.

The second pro in MI is Building self-efficacy. It entails helping clients to acknowledge the abilities possessed and accomplishments made. It is okay to celebrate little achievements like completing a week without drinking, and it should motivate individuals in a group as well. Getting members to write and post their achievements and approaches promotes positive encouragement; where people are free to encourage others to go ahead (Wagner & Ingersoll, 2022).

Such an approach takes its roots from MI’s recognition of the importance of eliciting the client’s internal drive. Instead of telling people what they should do, one should help the participants to understand why they need the change. For example one may say to the client, “What do you think your life would be like if there was no such thing as addiction to interfere with it?” Questions of this kind ensure that the participants relate personal goals with personal interests thus increasing the motivation to recover (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020).

Application of MI Tenets in Group Addiction Treatment

The four basic tenets of MI include empathy, discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and self-efficacy which make MI even ideal for use in groups.

Expressing Empathy

The general guidelines support the idea that empathy is essential to establish a positive group dynamic. Stigma follows addiction and people who struggle with substance use disorders therefore feel like they are being judged or misunderstood. Reflective listening helps respond to the participants’ feelings and to approve or disapprove their personal narratives (Wagner & Ingersoll, 2022). For instance, a group member who is displaying low self-esteem might hear ‘‘It appears as if you are in doubt about the ability to change or grow yet agreeing to be part of the group means that you have a desire to look for hope,’’. This kind of empathy fosters trust and cultivates more of it since participants feel relaxed to share their experiences.

Developing Discrepancy

Creating discrepancy entails assisting the participants to appreciate the difference between what they currently do and what they should be doing in the future. In group therapy, members can participate in exercises that encourage them to share how substance use is inconsistent with their goals. For instance, the participants may talk about the ways in which substance use has affected them; personally, with friends and families, health-wise, or their career aspirations. Listening to each other’s peers opening often acts as a motivation to continue pressing for the change (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020).

Rolling with Resistance

It is important for people to understand that some level of resistance is at least somewhat normal during recovery. Unlike most intervention approaches, MI is about not fighting with it but embracing and wanting to find out more about it. A person resistant to quitting alcohol may be confronted with, “It seems like you have some doubts about what your life would be like without alcohol. Let us know more about why this is difficult.” This not only lessens the defensiveness but helps to open up the opportunity for true self-reflection and communication (Schippers et al., 2021).

Supporting Self-Efficacy

Recovery also depends on self-efficacy, the extent to which people believe in their ability to succeed. The same principle can be extended within a group environment, as additional people not only reinforce support and contribute personal examples. For instance, a participant may disclose how they use something to cope with the urge to binge, and in turn, make other individuals do the same (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020). Leaders maintain this process by applauding successes and praising the group in order to create hope and adoption among leaders.

Conclusion

Motivational interviewing is an empathetic and client-centered approach to counselling that forms a good bedrock for group counselling particularly in substance use management. It is centered on both, empathy and participants’ self-sufficiency, and their desire to improve, which makes the environment conducive for the purpose. With the inclusion of MI in group therapy, leaders ensure patients attain rapport, responsibility and a common goal. It also serves the purpose of assisting an otherwise struggling person with the specifics of the recovery process as well as sustaining that change over time.

References

Hettema, J., Steele, J., & Miller, W. R. (2020). Motivational interviewing. Addiction Science &

Clinical Practice, 15(2), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-06189-x

Moyers, T. B., Rowell, L. N., Manuel, J. K., & Ernst, D. (2021). Motivational interviewing: A

tool for behavioral change. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 124, 108293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108293

Schippers, G. M., Goudriaan, A. E., & van Emmerik-van Oortmerssen, K. (2021). Integrating

motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral therapy in group addiction treatment. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 48(1), 14–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11414-020-09712-5

Wagner, C. C., & Ingersoll, K. S. (2022). Motivational interviewing in addiction treatment

groups. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78(4), 710–722. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23219

Yalom, I. D., & Leszcz, M. (2020). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (6th ed.).

Basic Books.

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