With so many therapeutic modalities available, the options can feel overwhelming for those pursuing recovery from addiction. Which kind of therapy will generate the “best” results? Should you choose Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? What about internal family systems, or neurofeedback therapy?
Thankfully, the answer to which is “best” is none of them; any of these modalities can benefit someone looking to break free from addiction if their motivation for change is strong and their recovery goals sure.
But what if you or a loved one are still struggling to find the motivation to seek healing from substance use disorder? What if the desire for change is not yet strong enough to make it happen? And how does a history of trauma affect this desire for change?
This is where motivational enhancement therapy comes in.
What Is Motivational Enhancement Therapy?
Initially developed to help people with alcohol use disorder, motivational enhancement therapy is “a systematic intervention approach for evoking change in problem drinkers…based on principles of motivational psychology and…designed to produce rapid, internally-motivated change,” according to the Motivational Enhancement Therapy manual.
So exactly what is motivational enhancement therapy (MET), and what does it look like in practice? MET begins with an extensive assessment of the client–so extensive that it can take up to 8 hours to complete! The purpose is to gain a more complete context for the client so that the practitioner can more fully help them identify and mobilize their own change resources.
For many sufferers from alcohol or substance use disorders, this assessment reveals one troubling part of their pasts: exposure to trauma.
The Effect of Trauma on Addiction
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event, such as death of a loved one, divorce, war, or severe illness. Chronic trauma is the repeated subjection to such terrible events, while co-occurring trauma is the combination of post-traumatic stress disorder with another mental illness. Often, that illness is addiction.
Trauma significantly increases the risk of developing addiction. Individuals who experience traumatic events often struggle with overwhelming emotions, anxiety, and intrusive memories. In an effort to cope, many turn to substances or addictive behaviors as a form of self-medication.
Drugs and alcohol may temporarily numb pain or provide a sense of control, but over time, they often lead to dependency and worsen emotional distress.
Trauma can alter brain chemistry and impair emotional regulation, making it harder to resist cravings or make healthy choices. Without addressing the underlying trauma through trauma-informed care, addiction treatment may not achieve its desired effects.
Long-term recovery often starts at an evidence based rehab, where integrated care treats both the addiction and the trauma with a holistic approach, using therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, and, yes, MET.
What to Expect with Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Now that you have answered the question “what is motivational enhancement therapy,” take a look at what it looks like in practice.
After the client is assessed, the therapy sessions begin. MET consists of only 4 carefully planned and individualized therapy sessions. If possible, the client’s spouse or partner is included in the first two sessions.
In session 1, the practitioner and client go through the assessment, identifying problems associated with substance use, as well as triggers for the use potentially caused by past trauma. The second session enhances what was explored in session 1, pinpointing the client’s unique motivation for achieving and maintaining sobriety and working toward a commitment to change.
The last two sessions take place with weeks between them, with the therapist monitoring and encouraging the client’s progress. The MET session is considered complete after 90 days.
Why Motivational Enhancement Therapy Works for Trauma Survivors
For individuals with a trauma history, the decision to pursue recovery is not always straightforward. Trauma often fosters mistrust, shame, and emotional numbness—feelings that can interfere with motivation to change or engage in traditional treatment models. This is where Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) becomes especially valuable.
MET is rooted in empathy, autonomy, and collaboration—three principles that trauma survivors deeply need in their healing journey. Unlike directive therapies, MET does not tell the client what to do; instead, it helps them discover their own internal drive for change, which can be deeply empowering for those whose autonomy has been compromised by past trauma.
Key benefits of MET for trauma survivors include:
- Reduced resistance to treatment: The non-confrontational, client-centered nature of MET helps reduce defensiveness and builds trust.
- Strength-based focus: MET highlights an individual’s existing strengths and capabilities rather than focusing on deficits or pathology.
- Respect for emotional readiness: Clients are never rushed into making decisions they’re not ready for—MET honors their pace of change.
- Personalized goal-setting: Clients define their own recovery goals based on their unique experiences and values, increasing long-term commitment.
- Integration of trauma-informed principles: Practitioners trained in trauma-informed care ensure sessions avoid re-traumatization and support emotional safety.
- Encouragement of self-reflection: MET supports deeper understanding of how past experiences may drive current behaviors—without judgment.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy meets clients where they are, emotionally and psychologically. It bridges the gap between awareness and action, offering a compassionate, evidence-based path forward—especially for those navigating both addiction and unresolved trauma.
Explore the Benefits of MET at Sana at Stowe in Vermont
MET is an effective therapeutic approach for those struggling to maintain commitment to change. MET gently guides individuals toward positive change by exploring their ambivalence about substance use, respecting their autonomy, and building their intrinsic motivation, making it a particularly supportive method for those whose substance use may be intertwined with experiences of trauma.
If you have identified problematic substance use in your own life–possibly linked to past trauma–and are ready to explore this evidence based treatment, consider Sana at Stowe in beautiful rural Vermont.
Our holistic residential treatment center offers professional, compassionate residential treatment in a luxurious environment that will keep you comfortable and relaxed. Our trauma-informed specialists work on healing the whole person emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Testimonials such as this one show the profound effect Sana has had on people suffering from substance abuse: “I could not be more grateful for a second chance at sobriety. I truly believe Sana is the only place that provides this type of therapy.”
Our addiction treatment center is possible for everyone to attend. Sana at Stowe offers medically-supervised detox and accepts insurance through in-network providers such as TRICARE.
Reach out to Sana at Stowe to begin your journey to recovery today. We are just one phone call away at (802) 532-5277. Call now.
