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Article Series: Motivation
What Will It Take To Motivate Me?
Motivational
Interventions For High Risk Students
A recent news release found that high risk
students who have been involved with drugs and or alcohol abuse
can benefit from motivational interventions. It is thought
that the actual session is helpful, regardless of the content
provided within. One expert says that the sessions give the
students a chance to observe some of the issues that are surrounding
their problems. These sessions give the students time to speak
with a motivational interventionist and discuss any questions
that they might have or talk about their problems.
What is the MI (motivational intervention) approach?
It has been shown that a lot of the programs which are designed
to reduce these alcohol related behaviors in teens simply do
not work! MI seems to be different. MI uses a non-confrontational,
collaborative means by which to talk to teens about their drinking
or drug use. Since the teen is treated as an adult and is given
decisions to make and is involved in the decision making process
they are less likely to resist authority, which is common for
children their age.
The Motivational Intervention approach is tailored to the
individual needs of each person. The teen is assessed to see
where he or she is at motivationally and is created to meet
their specific needs. One example is for a teen who has been
known to drink heavily and who has experienced the negative
consequences of his or her actions, but has not given enough
thought to how to change the behavior, a motivational interventionist
would work with the teens on increasing awareness of the consequences
and the current and future risk involved.
Where can I get find an MI program?
You can look for resources about local MI on the web or you
can seek guidance from your child’s school counselor. The department
of Human Services may also know of programs in your area. The
local police are always a good resource for information about
these motivational intervention programs.
Is it Expensive?
The MI approach recognizes that for some money may be the
reason that they do not seek help since rehabilitation facilities
are expensive and are usually not covered by insurance. The
MI approach is commonly done by undergraduates of a rehabilitation
program or by trained non-professionals. Therefore the cost
of these interventions is much less expensive. Costing only
a fraction of what a rehabilitation facility would cost.
The five R’s of the MI approach.
Motivational Intervention is based on five principles that
seem to be getting the job done!
1. Relevance.
It is important for the individual to know why he or she wants
to change the behavior. They should recognize the consequences
and know how those consequences are relevant to them and their
personal situation. Relevance is the personal aspect of the
MI approach.
2. Risks
Educate the individual about the risks involved with the behavior.
They should be able to identify the risks to them personally
as well as the risks to their family and their friends. The
risks are sometimes not easy to see, and it is the job of the
MI to point these out.
3. Rewards
These are not the type of rewards that you might be thinking.
These are internal rewards. The MI approach asks the individual
to focus on why that changing the behavior will make his or
her life better or how that it will make them a better person.
4. Roadblocks
By knowing what kinds of things and situations that will prevent
the person from achieving their goals of changing the behavior,
they can prevent them. They will be more aware of these things
and have devised a plan in advance to deal with these situations.
5. Repetition
The MI approach wants the person to understand that it is
okay to fail. It takes many attempts to make a permanent change.
It is important to let the person know that they do have the
strength to learn from mistakes and to try again.
The MI approach is used among many types of addictions and
destructive behaviors such as smoking and even overeating!
Teens are particularly hard to deal with and the MI approach
is working to prevent alcoholism in teens.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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