Motivational enhancement therapy may be used in the treatment of substance use disorder. It may also be used to help a person quit smoking.

This therapy encourages a person to use personal motivation to stop using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco and to make changes that will lead to a better lifestyle.

Motivational enhancement therapy may be part of inpatient or outpatient treatment to stop using drugs or alcohol or to maintain sobriety. It is brief, lasting only 1 to 2 hours over 1 to 4 sessions, and may be combined with other types of counseling to enhance treatment. With the counselor's help, the person creates a personal plan and sets goals. The counselor helps the person understand the behaviors that lead to drug or alcohol use problems or tobacco use. The theory behind this therapy is that a person will be more motivated if he or she is able to personally set the goals for changing destructive behaviors.