What does motivational interviewing aim to enhance in individuals seeking recovery?

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling style that aims to enhance an individual’s motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. The primary focus of this technique is to build a person's commitment to change, especially regarding their substance use or addictive behaviors.

Through motivational interviewing, individuals are encouraged to articulate their desires, reasons, needs, and potential outcomes relating to making changes in their behavior. This reflective process helps them recognize the discrepancies between their current state and their goals, fostering a stronger verbal commitment to change. By emphasizing personal motivation and self-efficacy, motivational interviewing helps individuals move toward recovery and take actionable steps, making commitment to change the central aim of this therapeutic approach.

The other options, while relevant to an individual's overall well-being, do not specifically capture the primary focus of motivational interviewing. Self-sufficiency, financial independence, and social integration may be important for long-term recovery but are secondary aspects that can be addressed after enhancing an individual’s commitment to change.