Motivational Interviewing Reflection

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This week’s reflection paper examines the execution of Motivational Interviewing (MI) at UMPC Mercy Detoxification Unit (UPMC-M-DU). According to Rollnick S., & Miller, W.R., 1995, Motivational Interviewing is a way of talking with people to evoke and strengthen their personal motivation for change (Miller, 1983). The general beliefs at UPMC-M-DU are that substance abuse is a chronic illness and that withdrawal or detoxification is generally followed by relapse. UPMC-M-DU’s staff suggests that the most effective treatment method of substance abuse is that which is central towards behavioral change. These perspectives support the unit’s utilization of Motivational Interviewing therapeutic modality.
Moreover, during all psychosocial assessments, patients are asked what is their view of their own future; how do they want their lives to be different? How confident are they that they can make these changes happen? These questions set the direction and tone for the treatment endeavor. For example, I typically encourage or guide patients to disclose/recognize beliefs, ideas, and goals, which are not aligned with their behavior. From that point, I focus on helping the patient observe their own behavior.
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On UPMC-M-DU, if a patient is not ready for change, staff recognizes such behaviors and in some cases, empathically verbalizes such concerns. On our unit, Motivational Interviewing is a useful strategy to encourage patients to initiate participation in self-help, and is useful for helping alcohol users remain abstinent during the critical initial period following discharge from detoxification and to develop permanent healthier