Motivational interviewing in substance abuse: applications for occupational medicine

Motivational interviewing has been proven to increase the motivation of individuals who need to change substance abuse and other health behaviors. This article explores a descriptive model of change and describes how motivational interviewing fits in this larger context. The theoretical assumptions of motivational interviewing are described, including controversies surrounding denial and resistance in ambivalent individuals. Specific and concrete strategies are provided for occupational medicine settings and various combinations of motivational interviewing with feedback and other treatments are described.