Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for cannabis when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Cannabis
People with cannabis are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar cannabis patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Cannabis Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about cannabis treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of cannabis ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with cannabis
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing cannabis
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to cannabis recovery
MI in Cannabis Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many cannabis treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.