Substance use disorders (SUDs), encompassing alcohol and drug dependency, pose significant global health challenges. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) has emerged as a client-centered intervention to enhance intrinsic motivation for behavioral change, particularly among individuals with ambivalence or resistance to conventional treatment approaches. This study examines the efficacy of MET in enhancing readiness to change in seven male patients undergoing inpatient rehabilitation for alcohol and substance use disorders through a multi-case study design. Each patient was evaluated using the Stages of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) to assess motivational shifts over the intervention period. Results indicated that MET facilitated progression to advanced stages of change for most participants, with notable improvements in readiness to change for five of the seven cases. However, variability in outcomes highlighted the influence of individual factors such as baseline motivation and co-occurring conditions. Findings suggest MET’s utility as a tailored approach to addressing substance use, emphasizing its importance in clinical practice.
Read full abstract