The rates of substance use across the country continue to rise, including among teens. Prescription painkillers like oxycodone, stimulants like Adderall, and chronic marijuana use are all cause for concern among parents. Finding your teen help to break the cycle of addiction and build healthier habits can guide them toward a better future. But what types of therapy are effective in treating teen substance use disorders? Many professionals are looking toward motivational enhancement therapy for substance abuse treatment.
At Beyond Healthcare, our team of dedicated professionals helps adolescents and teens 11-17 manage their mental health symptoms and break the cycle of addiction. Using evidence-based therapies like motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and medication management, we develop customized treatment plans that address the unique circumstances of each of our teens. Find out if motivational enhancement therapy for teens could help your teen end their dependence on drugs or alcohol and build the skills for a healthier tomorrow by calling 833.698.0453 today.
What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?
MET is a cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help people recognize and increase their motivation toward making positive changes in their lives. This type of therapy focuses on helping individuals understand the pros and cons of continuing certain behaviors, such as substance use, and find internal motivation for changing them. MET can also help teens build the skills they need to make healthy, sustainable changes. During MET sessions, therapists help identify and focus on the person’s strengths and goals to help them reach their full potential.
How Does MET Help Substance Use Disorder Treatment?
Mental health professionals use motivational enhancement therapy for substance abuse treatment to help teens identify the underlying causes of their addiction and develop healthier habits. Through a series of individual sessions, teens will learn how to:
- Identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors
- Develop healthier coping skills
- Set long-term goals to reach their full potential
- Confront issues related to their substance use disorder, such as stress or trauma
- Understand the consequences of their behavior
As teens progress through motivational enhancement therapy, they can build the confidence and skills needed to manage their addiction and sustain healthier habits.
Advantages of Using MET for Substance Abuse Treatment
MET has been proven to be an effective therapy for treating substance use disorders in teens. Some of the benefits of using motivational enhancement therapy for substance abuse treatment include:
- Reduced substance use
- Increased confidence and self-efficacy
- Improved mental health
- Better decision-making skills
- Improved communication and social skills
- Enhanced self-awareness
- Ability to recognize triggers for substance use
Motivational enhancement therapy can be a valuable tool in helping teens break the cycle of addiction and manage mental health symptoms. However, it may not be a good fit for every teen or situation.
Limitations to MET’s Effectiveness
Teens and adolescents with substance use disorders may not always find help from MET. Limitations for MET’s effectiveness include:
- Difficulty with long-term relapse prevention
- Little effect on those who use substances for recreational reasons
- Inability to address the social and environmental factors that influence addiction
These limitations can often be managed by using motivational enhancement therapy in conjunction with other types of therapeutic treatments.
Motivation Enhancement Therapy for Addiction Treatment at Beyond Healthcare
Like other types of evidence-based therapies, MET can be a valuable tool in helping teens break the cycle of addiction and manage mental health symptoms. At Beyond Healthcare, we utilize MET to help our teens build healthier habits for a better future. If you’re concerned about your teen’s substance use disorder or want more information on how we can help them with their recovery journey, don’t hesitate to reach out today. Our experienced counselors are here to answer any questions you may have and provide support every step of the way. Contact us now at 833.698.0453 for more information about motivational enhancement therapy for teens.
