Description of the Strategy

Motivational enhancement therapy (MET) was originally developed as one of three treatment methods [Page 380]tested in Project MATCH, a multisite clinical trial funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and the largest study ever conducted with psychotherapies for alcohol use disorders. Project MATCH aimed to compare three treatment methods with very different conceptual-theoretical bases. MET was adopted as a treatment focused on increasing clients' intrinsic motivation for change. It was compared with cognitive behavior therapy intended to teach coping skills for relapse prevention and with a 12-step facilitation therapy designed to engage clients in the spiritual program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

MET combines two intervention methods: the clinical style of motivational interviewing and structured personal feedback from ...