Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that affects millions of Americans each year. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.7 million people struggled with a substance use disorder in 2022.[1]
Addiction is progressive and it occurs in stages. At first, you might just be experimenting with substances or using them socially. Eventually, this turns into regular and consistent use. Then you will develop a dependency and experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the specific substance.
In the same way that addiction occurs in stages, so does the recovery process. This means that healing from an addiction does not occur overnight. There are five stages of recovery, including pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and the maintenance stage.
In this article, you will learn:
- What the transtheoretical model is
- What are the 5 stages of recovery
- How each stage of recovery is important to the healing process
What are the 5 Stages of Recovery?
The transtheoretical model (TTM) of change was created in 1983 to help people change negative behaviors like smoking cigarettes.[2] It proposes that there are 5 stages of change that people must go through to recover from a problematic behavior. Oftentimes, it is used to explain the stages of recovery from addiction.
When you are recovering from alcohol or drugs, the first step begins before you are even aware of it. Before you decide to make a change, you are stuck in a cycle of addictive behavior, denial, and justification. Over time, you will begin to notice how substances are affecting your life, bringing you to a place of acceptance toward the idea of recovery.
According to the TTM, the 5 stages of recovery include:
Stage 1: Pre-Contemplation
You are in the first stage of recovery before you even begin to think about getting sober. The precontemplation stage is characterized by having a clear lack of insight into the negative impact that drugs and alcohol are having on your life. You might become defensive when your friends or family members try to talk to you about your substance abuse.
Stage 2: Contemplation
The contemplation stage occurs when you begin to realize that you might have a problem with alcohol or drugs. Deep down, you are ready to begin making changes because of the effects that substance abuse has had on your life. During this stage, it is the best time for people to intervene and offer their loved ones access to treatment.
Stage 3: Preparation
The preparation stage occurs when you are beginning to take steps towards recovery. It is the first stage of the change model when you are taking action to better yourself. For example, you might have asked your loved ones for help, told a therapist about your addiction, or made a commitment to attend addiction treatment.
Stage 4: Action
During the action stage, you are actively making changes to tackle sobriety. You are probably working in an addiction treatment program to recover from your substance abuse. You might be tackling medical detox, engaging in daily therapy, or learning healthy coping mechanisms.
Stage 5: Maintenance
The maintenance stage of recovery occurs when you have completed addiction treatment but are continuing your sobriety journey. This could involve engaging in relapse prevention skills, attending weekly support group meetings, or participating in other activities that help you maintain your sobriety.
The maintenance phase is the goal that you are looking to achieve. It signifies that you have made the changes necessary and are maintaining the positive behaviors you have learned along the way.
Is Recovery Over Once You Are in the Maintenance Phase?
While the overall goal of recovery is to make it to the maintenance phase of change, that does not mean that your journey is over. The entire point of achieving the maintenance stage is that you are continuing to do the necessary tasks to remain sober. Unfortunately, there is no cure for addiction, which means it is a condition that must be managed long-term.
Once you have reached the maintenance phase, you must continue partaking in the supportive services that helped you reach your goal. This might include:
- Attending regular therapy sessions
- Participating in recovery communities like 12-step meetings
- Keeping a journal to track your triggers
- Engaging in healthy coping mechanisms to overcome stressful situations
- Staying connected with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery
- Participating in outpatient rehab or a sober living housing program
- Taking advantage of aftercare services offered by your treatment center
- Maintaining healthy routines in your daily life
Recovery from addiction is a lifelong task. Without staying focused on the maintenance stage of change, you are at risk of relapsing. In other words, recovery does not end once you reach the 5th stage.
Get Connected to a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
If you or a loved one suffers from drug addiction or alcoholism, it is time to seek help. Addiction can be incredibly difficult to overcome, but drug rehab facilities make it easier for you to achieve long-term sobriety. At the Mandala Healing Center, we offer evidence-based treatments to help our clients overcome substance use disorders.
Why Choose The Mandala Healing Center? Clients are taken on a journey of healing through complete immersion into evidence-based clinical modalities, multifaceted alternative therapies, and expert medical management, allowing them to fully detox and recover from drug and alcohol addictions. Through a program of care designed to encourage change, a foundation is created that allows clients to find their higher purpose and reclaim their lives.
If you are interested in regaining control over your life and beating the disease of addiction, the Mandala Healing Center is here to help. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data
- Boston University: The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)