Does MI contradict AA principles?
A recent article written by Stanton Peele discusses how motivational interviewing (MI) contradicts principles in AA (alcoholics anonymous). Motivational interviewing, as defined by Peele, “is a psychological therapy developed for alcoholism and other addictions. It responds to the fact that no single technique is especially effective in resolving addiction or creating psychological change. Instead, people’s motivation determines their success in recovery—whichever technique or method they choose to pursue.” Developed by William R. (“Bill”) Miller, now an emeritus professor at the University of New Mexico, the essential components of MI include: motivation focused treatment and motivation arising from client interaction which creates a desire for recovery.
MI differs from AA in that MI is “a classic ‘client-centered’ approach” – not a one size fits all method. In a recent book written by Peele and co-authored by Ilse Thompson, the authors maintain that individuals don’t “respond when you instruct them on the ‘correct’ behavior (typically meaning sobriety understood as abstinence). The instructional approach (used in AA) in general arouses people’s defenses. Instead, a would-be helper has to find—and operate from—the client’s own perspective. This process (MI) is about tapping into a person’s values. In the MI approach, people seek recovery when they find out who they are deep within, the self they really want to be.”
Further, Peele and Thompson argue that, “In AA, the self is corrupt, unreliable, and must be denied. In MI, the self is the source for change. Ilse and I describe this goal as being ‘to embrace yourself as already worthy, whole, and wise.’ Above all, we emphasize, addiction is not a core identity around which to build your self-concept. It is—like any of the psychological issues and personal problems we all face—a surface characteristic. Our approach is consistent with that of MI in seeing addictive behaviors as correctable life difficulties that violate—rather than express—the person’s essential being.”
So, which approach – AA or MI — is proving more effective? The jury is still out and it may vary from person to person. AA has proven to be an invaluable recovery tool for many, but MI is definitely an interesting approach to explore as well.
Sources: aa.org, substance.com