The patient associates drug use with some positive emotional change. Drug use may have been employed as a coping strategy for solving problems, and the patient does not yet know of a better coping strategy. The patient may feel too weak or helpless to break the powerful cycle of addiction. A patient's feelings of ambivalence should be explored so the counselor can assist the patient to recognize the ambivalence and identify the underlying reasons. Understanding the patient's reasons also will help the counselor to direct discussion regarding motivation appropriately.
Motivation refers to how much the patient is impelled to act on the desire to become sober.
Although these consequential life events may help to motivate the patient, they may not be sufficient. Additionally, the counselor should encourage and support the patient's desire to become sober. The counselor should discuss the patient's ambivalence and motivation to quit using and commit to recovery. Encouraging the patient to discuss the pros and cons of using and focusing on the patient's reported negative consequences of using may help to cement, or at least strengthen, the patient's desire to become abstinent. Having the patient identify the personal benefits of a drug-free lifestyle, and particularly what he or she really wants in life, helps to highlight the advantages of becoming sober.