Stages of Addiction Recovery

For instance, you may be in the preparation phase when you decide to stop thinking about making a change and return to pre-contemplation. Then, you may reconsider and go right back to planning without going through contemplation again. The relapse phase can take you out of the maintenance phase, but you might get right back to the action phase when you decide to continue in your recovery.

Here’s a brief overview of each of the stages:

Pre-contemplation

Pre-contemplation is the earliest stage of change in the transtheoretical model. This stage is marked by denial or complete ignorance of the problem. People in pre-contemplation aren’t thinking about making a change, and if they’re confronted with their need to change, they may remain in denial. Denial may cause you to be ignorant of damaging behavior, and the strain substance use is putting on your health, relationships, finances, and other areas of your life.

Some people move beyond denial to resignation. If you’ve been through several relapses, you may feel like you’re not capable of achieving sobriety. To examine whether or not you’re in this stage, ask yourself what would need to happen for you to make a change. You can also think about the things your close friends and family members have been saying about your substance use. Are these concerns warranted?

Contemplation

Contemplation is the stage where a person first starts thinking about potentially making a change. They become more aware of the harms that may be caused by their substance use, and they may start to see the positives that may come from making a change. At the same time, people in this phase might find the prospect of changing to be a daunting task.

They may also struggle with the idea of quitting a substance for good. Contemplation is marked by mixed emotions and internal conflict, and it can last for a long time. Getting past this phase can be difficult, and many people never get beyond it. However, it helps to think of change in terms of the benefits you’ll be gaining from sobriety.

Preparation

The preparation stage involves taking active steps toward making a change in order to prepare. This stage is often marked by collecting information about what you would need to do to make a change. You may also start to experiment with small changes.

In the case of drug use, you might start to cut back on your doses or take doses less frequently. Preparing for recovery can also involve collecting information about detox programs, addiction treatment, or community resources. It can help to make a list of your goals and things you need to accomplish to start on the path to recovery. Make a plan of action and take active steps toward them.

Action

The action stage is the most visible stage of change and involves taking direct action toward achieving a lasting change. Strategies to improve success in this phase include seeking support and accountability, rewarding your success, and making a list of motivating factors.

It’s important to reassess your strategies frequently and make adjustments where needed. When it comes to addiction, this phase will likely include addiction treatment where you can address underlying issues of addiction and develop relapse prevention strategies.

Maintenance

This phase is where the new behavior is maintained. In recovery, this is when you will apply your relapse prevention strategies in independent life. It helps to continue your pursuit of recovery by staying involved in community resources like 12-step programs and staying connected to your support system.

Relapse

Relapse can happen at any time after you start to make a change. Some people chose to present the stages of change without the relapse stage to avoid it being perceived as an inevitable part of the process, though it is often a part of recovery.

Relapses are characterized by a return to old behaviors and can bring feelings of disappointment, self-doubt, and hopelessness. It helps to revisit triggers and barriers to success that can be overcome in the future. It may also help to recognize that treatment and the work you’ve put in up to relapse isn’t worthless because it allowed you to learn about yourself and addiction. A relapse isn’t inevitable, but if it happens, it also doesn’t mean that you are incapable of success in recovery.