
Respond to them with enthusiasm and express how their answers align with what makes you the right person for the job. Above all else, be genuine and share your passion in the interview. Your personality, energy, and ability to connect with others is crucial to success in addiction treatment.
Full Answer
What are the interview questions for a substance use counselor?
Interview questions for a Substance Use Counselor role may explore your own experiences as well as your understanding of the role of a counselor and concepts surrounding substance abuse treatment. Questions may include: Why do you want this job? Being able to communicate what makes you passionate about substance abuse counseling is critical.
How does motivational interviewing work for substance abuse?
A technique known as motivational interviewing was designed to do just that. The motivational interviewing questions for substance abuse focus on the individual’s own reasons for changing, in a non-confrontational manner.
How should I prepare for an interview for an addiction counselor?
Above all else, be genuine and share your passion in the interview. Your personality, energy, and ability to connect with others is crucial to success in addiction treatment. Have questions about becoming a certified counselor?
What questions do they ask in a drug rehab interview?
1 Why are you here today? 2 What do you think about going to rehab? 3 What do you like about drinking or using? 4 What makes you think you have a problem? 5 What worries you about substance abuse? 6 Why do you think you need to change? 7 How would you change?

Does motivational interviewing work for substance abuse?
Motivational interviewing is used to enhance intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence [1]. Motivational interviewing has been found to reduce substance use among individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) [2].
What should you do if someone you know has a substance abuse problem?
Your best bet is to talk to your own physician or employee assistance professional about referring you to someone who can help, such as a licensed substance abuse counselor or family therapist. You may think that you need to choose just the right program for your family member and if you don't, treatment will fail.
How does motivational interviewing help with the treatment of substance use disorders?
Motivational Interviewing For Addiction Treatment. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic technique used to address addiction and substance use disorders (SUD) in patients by strengthening one's motivation and commitment to a particular goal, such as sobriety.
What are the 4 P's for substance abuse screening?
Parents, Partners, Past and Pregnancy (The 4Ps) Screening tool developed to detect dug, alcohol, and tobacco use among pregnant women and women of childbearing age.
How do you deal with someone who is under the influence of drugs?
Try to remain calm, and speak in a calm, clear, and slow voice to the person. Try to avoid emotional or hostile language, which may make the person more aggressive. Say the person's name, and tell them that you're there to help. For example, “I can see how upset and angry you are right now, [person's name].
How do you help a person who has an addiction?
7 Tips for Helping Someone with an AddictionTip #1: Educate Yourself. Get information about addictions. ... Tip #2: Get Support. ... Tip #3: Get Counseling. ... Tip #4: Seek Specialty Help. ... Tip #5: Don't Enable. ... Tip #6: Have Realistic Expectations. ... Tip #7: Take Care of Yourself.
How do you start a motivational interview?
Motivational interviewing: four steps to get startedAsk open-ended questions instead of “yes” or “no” questions. ... Offer affirmations. ... Practice reflective listening. ... Summarize the visit.
What interventions are used with motivational interviewing?
Specifically, Motivational Interviewing employs clinical strategies such as reflective listening, expressing acceptance of the patient's goals, selective reinforcement of talk that centers on substance use change (“change talk”), helping the patient realize discrepancies between their values or goals and their actual ...
What other strategies can be used with motivational interviewing?
The guiding principles of motivational interviewingResist the righting reflex.Understand the patient's own motivations.Listen with empathy.Empower the patient.
What are the four CAGE questions?
The CAGE Questionnaire Questions (CAGE & CAGE-AID) Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking? Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?
How do you assess substance use disorders?
A thorough substance use assessment includes a detailed inventory of the type, amount, frequency, and consequences of the patient's substance use, their perception of their use, and readiness to change. Additionally, we review past medical and psychiatric history and assess for co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
How does a nurse assess for addiction?
"We assess the types of social problems they may have had as a result of their drinking," Orr says. These could include denial that there are any problems, behavioral changes, personality changes, depression, memory problems, isolation, anger, confusion, nervousness, and malnutrition.
Motivational Interviewing Assumptions
Motivational interviewing focuses on resolving ambivalence toward recovery. Ambivalence refers to conflicting emotions about substance abuse.People...
Principles of Motivational Interviewing
Psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick helped develop the motivational interviewing approach to counseling. In their book “Motivation...
Types of Motivational Interviewing Techniques
Helping clients find motivation for recovery is easier said than done. Therapists use a variety of techniques to elicit responses that change the w...
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Motivational interviewing is a broad therapeutic approach to helping clients overcome ambivalence toward change. Motivational enhancement therapy i...
Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recognize motivational interviewing and moti...
What is motivational interviewing for substance abuse?
Motivational Interviewing for Substance Abuse. People addicted to alcohol or other drugs don’t always recognize the need to stop drinking or using. Some may not realize that they’re addicted. Others may not want to change, or they may not think recovery is possible.
What is the rule of treatment for substance use disorders?
RULE is based on the same principles as motivational interviewing for patients with substance use disorders. Doctors and nurses should avoid telling patients about the “right” path to wellness without ensuring that patients are motivated to change.
Why is motivational interviewing important?
Motivational interviewing is an important complement to traditional therapies for substance abuse and addiction. Without motivation for change, clients may be resistant to the lessons that rehab tries to teach. Motivated clients are more likely to buy into the rehab process and benefit from other therapies.
What is Ambivalence in psychology?
Ambivalence refers to conflicting emotions about substance abuse. People with addiction usually know that alcohol and other drugs are hurting them. A part of them may want to quit, and another part may simultaneously want them to keep using. Motivational interviewing is based on four assumptions:
What is the relationship between a therapist and client?
The relationship between a therapist and client is a collaborative partnership. An empathetic, supportive and directive approach to counseling can establish conditions for change to occur. Many people who begin treatment with motivational interviewing sessions are in the early stages of change.
Who developed the motivational interviewing approach to counseling?
Psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick helped develop the motivational interviewing approach to counseling. In their book “Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People to Change Addictive Behavior,” they outlined five principles that therapists should adhere to.
Is motivational interviewing more effective than traditional advice giving?
A 2005 analysis of 72 randomized and controlled clinical trials that studied motivational interviewing for a variety of lifestyle problems found that motivational interviewing was more effective than “traditional advice giving.”. The review was published in The British Journal of General Practice.
What are the duties of a substance abuse counselor?
Substance abuse counselors help those diagnosed with a substance use disorder. They do this by assessing the client for addiction and then creating a treatment plan that best suits them as they work towards sobriety.
What education is required to become a substance abuse counselor?
To become a certified substance abuse counselor, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field such as counseling, psychology, sociology, or social work.
Interview Questions for Substance Abuse Counselor
Example Answer: Yes, I am familiar with the 12-step program. I believe that it is one of the most successful programs for addiction recovery.
Substance Abuse Counselor Interview Questions on Personal Journey
Example Answer: I have personal experience with addiction and recovery because I have struggled with an addiction to alcohol for many years. This experience has given me a unique perspective when working with clients struggling with addiction.
Scenario-Based Substance Abuse Counselor Interview Questions
Example Answer: The most important factor in helping someone recover from addiction is providing support and resources. We can do it through family-based interventions, relapse prevention, or social support therapy.
Basic Interview Questions
Example Answer: I am a counselor who has been working in the field for five years. I have experience working with various people, and I feel comfortable working with diverse groups.
What is Motivational Interviewing (MI)?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling approach used to motivate clients to change destructive behaviors. MI was first described by Professor William R. Miller, PhD, in an issue of Behavioral Psychotherapy in 1983.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) Objectives & Steps
There are seven key points to MI that should be maintained across variations in MI technique. These are:
Motivational Interviewing & Substance Abuse Treatment
The main point of MI is overcoming the internal battle over whether one really wants to quit or not. Even though there are clearly many reasons to stop abusing drugs or get serious treatment for an addiction, to an addicted individual, there are also many reasons not to.
Is MI Covered by Insurance?
Motivational interviewing, when used in a formal rehab treatment plan, may be covered by insurance. This will depend on your insurance coverage provider. Use our online verification form below to see if insurance may be able to cover the cost of treatment.
Effectiveness & Success of MI
This method of counseling appears to be especially effective for alcohol addiction, likely due to the fact that it’s easier to be ambivalent about use of legal substances due to greater social acceptance than there is about the use of illicit drugs.
Benefits of MI
The following are benefits of motivational interviewing in the treatment of substance abuse disorders:
Limitations of MI
Although MI has helped many people to find the motivation to get on the path to recovery, it’s not the ideal course of treatment for everyone. For those who have co-occurring mental illnesses and more complex addiction issues, simple motivation may not be enough. MI in particular is designed to last for as little as four sessions.
Motivational Interviewing Techniques
The concept of the motivational interview was originally developed by Drs. William Miller and Stephen Rollnick as part of an approach for treating alcohol addiction. Many decades later, healthcare professionals use the method as a way of encouraging individuals who are struggling with substance abuse to make a positive change in their lives.
Basic Principles
The components of motivational interviewing are encompassed in the acronym OARS – Open-ended questions, Affirmations, and Reflections. An open-ended question is one that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” The answer becomes part of the overall discussion.
Motivational Interviewing Questions
Encouraging the individual to discuss their substance abuse and their need for treatment can be a matter of asking the right questions. It is important to note, though, that there aren’t any wrong answers on the individual’s part.
Addiction and Mental Health Support for Men
At PACE Recovery, we optimize your recovery success with integrated treatment that will address both your addiction to drugs or alcohol and your mental health issues. We address your whole person, including your spiritual, medical, psychosocial, and relational facets.
What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative and person-centered psychotherapeutic approach that attempts to help clients explore and overcome ambivalence about changing negative behaviors.
Motivational Interviewing for Substance Abuse
Addiction can be considered a progressive condition that causes people to abuse certain substances (drugs, alcohol, etc.) despite worsening consequences of that use on health and other life aspects. Millions of people with SUD do not seek treatment in the US because their motivation to change their substance use behaviors is low.
Motivational Interviewing Principles
During the treatment, the clinicians need to hold to the following motivational interviewing principles:
OARS Motivational Interviewing
Also called micro counseling skills, OARS motivational interviewing is the set of interpersonal communication skills that support the process of eliciting change talk. The founders of MI introduced OARS motivational interviewing to the third edition Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (2013).
Motivational Interviewing Techniques
To achieve the target, different motivational interviewing steps and techniques are used, which are at the discretion of the counselor and the patient’s needs and anticipated change. Motivational Interviewing techniques used by the therapists include:
Who Benefits from MI
MI is a collaborative counseling method that has been shown to be efficacious for addiction treatment. Research studies have shown that alcohol addicts tend to be more ambivalent regarding their addiction due to the increased social acceptance and the legality of alcohol use. The benefits of MI are not only limited to alcohol addiction.
Is It Effective?
Many studies have examined the effectiveness of MI in decreasing alcohol and drug use and smoking cessation when used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches. According to one study, MI should be considered as a part of treatment for adolescent substance abuse.
What is the treatment of substance abuse?
The behavioral treatment that counsellor use to treat substance abuser includes. Behavioral therapy: In this therapy, patient is thought how to avoid a situation where they are more prone to abuse drugs by positive reinforcement, modifications in feeling like anger & pain, breathing and relaxation methods, social skill training, etc.
What is the role of a substance abuse counsellor?
The primary role of substance abuse counsellor is to help that patient who is addicted to drugs and advise them in fighting addiction.
What is it called when a substance abuser picks up alcohol and stops again right away?
Slip : When a substance abuser is on a rehabilitation program and after a long period of abstinence, suddenly pick up alcohol or drugs and stops again right away is referred as slip. Slip is avoidable as it is just for that moment and patient can return back to its treatment.
What is system abuse treatment?
System abuse treatment program: It is an array of services and interventions, that deals with substance abuse disorder inpatient and provide them both ongoing treatment and acute stabilization. System abuse treatment system: It also treat a patient with substance abuse disorder, but it has a broad array of services.
What is motivational interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing: Motivating patient to change their behavior and enter treatment. Motivational incentives: Positive reinforcement of patient from drugs.
How long does a counselor stay in rehab for a second slip?
Further, they can also extend their stay in rehabilitation program by 2 to 4 weeks. For third slip, patient will be transferred to a stabilization group.
What are the factors that cause a patient to relapse?
Major factors that are responsible for pulling patient to relapse are. Effect of Negative feelings: Exposure to drugs or alcohol is often an attempt to control the feeling like shame, loneliness, guilt other negative thoughts. And the likelihood to any of this feeling can push the patient towards relapse state.
Why is it important to have specific examples in an interview?
Answer Tip: You should come prepared with a concrete example to discuss but be sure the mistakes you share are largely inconsequential and provided you with a valuable learning opportunity.
Can you search for press releases related to a company?
You can also search for press releases related to the company to find out about recent activities and accomplishments they have experienced. The more research you do, the better, but that does not meet you must share it all during the interview.
