Addiction is very much treatable. The studies on the science behind addiction and the best treatment for substance use disorders have created more research-based strategies to help people stop using drugs and restart more productive lives. But the addiction recovery process does not take place overnight. It’s a series of coping skills learned at doctors’ offices that must be carried out over the course of a lifetime for someone to stay in active recovery.
In the 1970’s, psychotherapists came up with a Stages of Change Model recognising that, no matter what the cause of addiction, people needed to go through the same steps in order to achieve change, and those were as follows:
1. Pre-Contemplation
This is the first stage in which the patient is in the denial phase. They refuse to believe that they need help and often believe that everything is fine. Except it is not! They systematically deny any adverse influences their actions have and begin to cast blame on the circumstances or even others. This stage is difficult, and the family must work hard to persuade the addicted person to enter recovery.
2. Contemplation
In the contemplation stage, those addicted to a substance start to think about changing their addictive behaviour. They know something is seriously wrong with them and that needs to be changed. This phase differs from the earlier stage in that now there is ambivalence, where the addicted person considers the pros and cons of using substances versus quitting them.
Family members play a very important role in this step, because the person is more likely to listen to reason. By steering clear of blame, judgment and accusations, it’s possible to lead them into the next stage.
3. Preparation
This stage is sometimes referred to as the determination stage because this is generally the moment when an addict prepares himself/herself to confront addiction in the near future. They could begin searching for treatment options, start visiting the best addiction centers in California, or let their family know that they’re ready to get help.
Typically, at this point, addicts start changing their behavior at home. You might notice that they stop taking substances suddenly, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms, and they can be dangerous. As a result, they can regress back to contemplation or even pre-contemplation stages.
4. Action
This is the stage in which a person actively strives to change their behavior and gain freedom from addiction. They are often compelled to seek professionals to help them during this stage of change before their first relapse or after it.
This is the most challenging stage for the addict, as he or she will experience some nasty and even dangerous physical symptoms of withdrawal. So it’s super important to get professional help.
The addicted person may experience strong cravings, mood swings, and even regret as they try to adjust their lives without the use of substances. Their symptoms can keep fluctuating based on the triggers like stress, relationships, or feelings of loneliness, and having peer support group sessions helps them in overcoming those emotions.
5. Maintenance
People who have been on the path to recovery for six months or longer and are successful in maintaining their change in behaviour are said to be in the maintenance stage. In this stage, the person is more stable, experiences little to no cravings and is in a much better shape to return to their normal routine.
The maintenance treatment plan emphasizes sustained change, recovery and prevention of relapse, to boost their confidence that they can remain sober for a long term.
How Long Does Each Stage Last?
There is no fixed timeline because each person heals at their own pace. This timeline of each phase can vary greatly based on their family situations, severity of addiction, mental-health issues and more.
The precontemplation and contemplation phases can last years for some, as the person is torn between denial and ambivalence. And for others, it may last a few months before they realize they need help.
The preparation phase usually takes only a small amount of time, from a few weeks to one month or so, during which they try to quit on their own or search for rehab centers or professionals who can help them.
The action stage, aka rehab phase, has a more intensive focus ranging from 30 days to 90 days in formal treatment settings. But this is just the first level where a patient is able to resist their everyday habits and activities without feeling the urge to go back to substance use.
Maintenance is the longest stage of them all since it lasts a lifetime. If not careful enough, a person may experience a relapse years after the rehab if a strong trigger appears. Therefore, aftercare planning and discipline are very important.
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