In contrast to directive treatment, where the therapist acts in the role of authority, non-directive treatment is based primarily on a completely equal and partnership relationship between therapist and client.

The therapeutic goals are not authoritatively determined, the client actively cooperates in the planning of partial goals, receives several alternatives and with the help of the therapist decides on the approach that suits him/her best individually. The client cannot be excluded from the non-directive treatment because of a "transgression" (violation of abstinence); on the contrary, any "slips" are therapeutically processed and the client is given the greatest support in such a situation.

Non-directive addiction therapy certainly does not include scaring, moralising or ultimatum commands and prohibitions.

It is widespread mainly in Western and Northern Europe, the USA and Australia. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by numerous studies (Results of Research on the Effectiveness of Controlled Alcohol Consumption) and it is now a modern and widely accepted 21st century addiction approach in these countries.

The fathers of the non-directive approach are the famous American psychologists and addictionologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick. In Western Europe, the German psychology professor and famous adictologist Joachim Körkel was the main contributor to the spread of this approach.