Challenge Your Exam Readiness With Our Free Master Addiction Counselor Practice Questions

SBIRT frameworks emphasize collaborative, nonjudgmental conversations that evoke the client’s own motivation for change. Decisional balance helps clients articulate perceived pros and cons of use; pairing it with the MI-consistent Elicit–Provide–Elicit structure (ask permission to share feedback, provide concise personalized information, then elicit the client’s reactions) supports autonomy and self-efficacy. This sequence reduces resistance and increases internal motivation by linking feedback to the client’s values and goals. Lecturing (A) risks a righting reflex and defensiveness. Immediate contracts (C) may be premature before commitment language has emerged. Threats (D) often backfire, undermining alliance and intrinsic motivation. The MAC role includes using validated screens (AUDIT, DAST-10), providing clear normative feedback, and collaboratively setting next steps (e.g., low-risk goals, referral). Decisional balance with EPE aligns with evidence that client-generated reasons and confidence for change are more predictive of outcomes than externally imposed directives.