Group motivational interviewing as an enhancement to outpatient alcohol treatment

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a directive client-centered counseling style that is designed to assist clients in exploring and resolving ambivalence to increase motivation for change. It proposes a model of motivation as a dynamic client characteristic that is particularly subject to the influence of therapist behaviors. From a transtheoretical perspective, MI assists client movement through the stages of change to the "action" stage where engaging in change behaviors begins. MI is distinguished from other approaches by its empathic non-confrontive style and the stage-specific strategies it utilizes. Twenty clinical trials have investigated the efficacy of MI with a variety of clinical and non-clinical populations and behaviors in a number of different settings. Almost all of these studies support the efficacy of MI. Only one study evaluated an adaptation of MI to a group format. The present study is intended to further knowledge in this area. Fifty-two veterans presenting for outpatient alcohol treatment at the Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP) of the Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) in Albuquerque participated in the study. After completing a baseline assessment, they were randomized to a one-time group motivational intervention or a group educational intervention of similar length. Following their group, all participants continued with the usual outpatient treatment provided at the SATP and were reevaluated at 3 and 6 months. There were no significant differences in drinking behavior between the groups at either follow-up. These findings are inconsistent with previous MI research with individuals and the one study conducted using a group intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)