Substance Use Motivation Ruler Worksheet

Treatment for substance use can be challenging. The experience is different for everyone, and people enter treatment with different levels of motivation for recovery. Knowing how motivated someone is in treatment for substance use is an important part of treatment planning.

In order to set someone up for success, it is important to understand their level of motivation when in treatment for substance use. Motivation for sobriety is based on different factors, which is why it is important to know how a client feels about sobriety when treatment planning. Even a motivation of 0 is important to know when treating substance use.

About This Worksheet

This is the Substance Use Motivation Ruler worksheet. This worksheet helps the client describe their level of motivation for a sober lifestyle. The worksheet consists of a scale to rate their motivation for treatment. It also provides reflection questions that can help a client and their therapist understand their attitude toward sobriety.

This worksheet is intended for adolescents and adults seeking treatment for substance use. It can be used in individual and group counseling sessions.

Instructions

Before introducing the worksheet, have a conversation with the client about how motivation affects treatment for substance use. Ensure the client that people can start their path toward recovery with any motivation level, so it is okay to stay in treatment even if they are not feeling motivated at that moment.

Introduce the worksheet and review the directions with the client. You may either allow the client to complete the worksheet on their own or complete the questions together. When the client has completed the worksheet, review the results and facilitate conversation about how to incorporate their level of motivation into their treatment.

Download Substance Use Motivation Ruler Worksheet