Application of Motivational Enhancement Therapy in Group settings among Patients with Substance Abuse

Background: Substance abuse is defined as the use of a drug or any other substance for a non-medical purpose with the aim of producing some type of "mind-altering "effect in the users. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) is a systematic intervention approach for evoking change. It is based on principles of motivational psychology and is designed to produce rapid and internal motivation. Aims and Objectives: Present study aims to assess and compare desire to quit substance use among substance users and the effectiveness of Motivation Enhancement Therapy on the desire to quit substance use in an experimental group. Sample and Sampling: A total number of 70 participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. The sample comprised of 35 from inpatient unit and 35 from the out-patient department of psychiatry, Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India. Results and Conclusions: The present study suggests that comprehensive patient-friendly treatments are more effective in increasing the desire to quit substance use than the standard pharmacological treatment. Hence, combining pharmacolo­gical treatment with appropriate psychosocial interventions focusing on the specific problem of the patient may provide a better outcome than either one alone. Clinicians can arrange the clinical teaching regarding MET for a larger group at whole including family interventions. Keywords: Motivation enhancement therapy, substance abuse