Motivational Interviewing
A counseling approach that helps people resolve ambivalence about changing drinking behavior through collaborative conversation. Therapists guide patients to identify their own motivations for sobriety, strengthening commitment to change rather than imposing external pressure.
TL;DR
Motivational Interviewing is a respectful conversation style that helps you uncover your own reasons for change and strengthens your commitment to sobriety.
Key Points
- âś“Uses open questions and reflective listening instead of confrontation
- âś“Focuses on your personal values and goals for change
- âś“Works best when you feel unsure or stuck about quitting
- âś“Can be practiced with therapists, sponsors, or even yourself
Motivational Interviewing (MI) feels less like therapy and more like having a thoughtful conversation with someone who genuinely wants to understand you. Instead of telling you what to do, your counselor creates space for you to explore your mixed feelings about drinking. They might ask, "What worries you about your drinking?" or reflect back, "It sounds like you love the social ease alcohol gives you, but you're tired of the morning regrets." This approach helps you hear your own wisdom about why change matters to you.
How It Works in Real Sessions
During MI sessions, you'll notice four key techniques your counselor uses, remembered by the acronym OARS:
- Open questions invite deeper reflection: "How does drinking fit with the kind of parent you want to be?"
- Affirmations highlight your strengths: "You've been honest about struggling, which shows real courage."
- Reflective listening ensures you feel heard: "So you're saying the hangovers are getting worse, but you're scared life might feel boring without alcohol."
- Summarizing weaves together your insights: "On one hand, drinking helps you relax after work, but on the other, it's straining your marriage and health."
The magic happens when you start expressing your own reasons for change—what MI calls "change talk." Your counselor gently amplifies these moments, helping you build momentum toward sobriety.
Using MI Principles on Your Own Recovery Journey
You don't need a therapist to benefit from MI's spirit. Try these self-reflection exercises:
- Values card sort: Write down what matters most to you—family, health, creativity, honesty. Notice how drinking supports or conflicts with these values.
- Decisional balance: Draw a simple four-square grid listing the pros and cons of both continuing to drink and choosing sobriety. This visual often reveals your deeper motivations.
- Future self-imagining: Spend five minutes visualizing yourself six months sober. What does your morning look like? How do you handle stress? This exercise often surfaces personal reasons for change.
When talking with sponsors or support groups, practice reflective listening with yourself first: "I'm hearing that I'm scared to face social events sober, but I'm even more scared of losing my job if I keep drinking."
What to Expect and When It Helps Most
MI works particularly well when you're feeling stuck or "on the fence" about change. If you're already 100% committed to sobriety, you might benefit more from action-oriented approaches. However, MI remains valuable during later recovery when new challenges arise—like staying motivated during stressful life events or rebuilding relationships.
Research shows people who receive MI before starting intensive treatment stay engaged longer and have better outcomes. Even brief sessions—sometimes just one or two conversations—can significantly boost your readiness for change. The key is approaching these conversations with honesty and curiosity about your own experience.