Motivational interviewing, a strategy to increase motivation for change, was tested as a
preparation for residential alcoholism treatment. Consecutive alcoholism admissions to
a private psychiatric hospital (N = 28, 21 men and 7 women) were assigned alternately
to receive or not to receive a 2-session motivational assessment and interview shortly
after intake, in addition to standard evaluation and treatment procedures. Patients who
received the motivational interview participated more fully in treatment (as evidenced
by therapist ratings) and showed significantly lower alcohol consumption at a 3-month
follow-up interview. The beneficial effects of motivational interviewing on outcome were
mediated by increased participation in treatment. The extent to which the received
treatment conformed to patients' pretreatment expectations was predictive of outcome.