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Dr. Ponce Martinez: Ten Questions to Encourage a Patient’s Journey in Addiction Treatment
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an effective counseling approach that helps patients with addiction treatment and cultivates motivation for sustained recovery. Unlike approaches that rely on external pressure or authority, MI fosters a collaborative, patient-centered conversation to address ambivalence and motivate behavior change. Clinicians create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where they use open-ended questions, reflective listening, and empathetic responses to encourage patients to explore their views on substance use. Top of Form By understanding the patient's perspective and values, clinicians can promote engagement and adherence to treatment plans. Physicians incorporating MI into their practice enhance their ability to support patients on their journey towards lasting positive change.
Here are some effective MI-based questions that you can use to start collaborative conversations with your patients:
What are your goals for your life, and how does your substance use fit in with these goals?
What are some of the things you value most in your life, and how does your substance use affect those things?
What are some of the positive changes you have experienced when you’ve been able to stop using substances?
How has your substance use affected your relationships with family and friends?
How confident do you feel about your ability to stop using substances, and what are some of the things that make you feel more or less confident?
What are some of the triggers that make it difficult for you to resist using substances, and how can we develop a plan to avoid or cope with those triggers?
What do you enjoy doing besides using substances, and how can you engage in these activities more frequently?
What is a small step you can take to increase your social support and develop new relationships that do not involve substance use?
What are some of the things you can do to improve your self-care and reduce stress without using substances?
What are some of the things you can do to cope with cravings or urges to use substances, and how can we develop a plan to support you in those moments?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) offers specialized MI courses designed for healthcare providers who treat patients with addiction. These comprehensive training courses equip clinicians with the essential knowledge and skills to successfully apply MI in addiction treatment settings. By engaging with this curriculum, healthcare providers will enhance their ability to meaningfully connect with patients, providing impactful support as patients make positive changes in their lives.
To learn more, click here: Motivational Interviewing
Dr. Ponce Martinez is the Addiction Psychiatry Section Chief at the UMass Memorial Medical Center, Director of the Addiction Psychiatry fellowship program, and holds an academic appointment as Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at the UMass Chan Medical School. She is board certified by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry in General Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Ponce Martinez has been a member of ASAM since 2013.