The journey to recovery and the process involved can be overwhelming to many people. While to others, addiction recovery can be a simple journey, many people struggle with the process. The willingness to seek help and recovery entirely differs with individuals, especially when circumstances are not motivational. Addiction recovery becomes easier and possible when you are aware of the problem, understand the problem magnitude, embrace changes, and take necessary steps. Below are the stages of change you should know.
Stage One – Pre-contemplation
In this first stage, the patient does not consider the need for change and is uninterested in the help offered. Being defensive and irrational are among the behaviors exhibited by the patient concerning the addiction problem. This is a stage where professionalism, care, and attention must be exercised by the healthcare practitioners in the treatment center. The patient must be helped to move to the next stage, the contemplation stage. It is vital for the patient to be fully aware of the problem, adjust and focus on control.
Stage Two – Contemplation
The patient is made aware of the consequences of addiction and urged to adjust and focus on control. The patient should be given time to think through the consequences and how the problem’s persistence might affect the recovery process. As much as there are several discussions that the patient will be taken through, ambivalence about making a change should be expected. The benefits and costs of seeking help are communicated to the patient by the medical team. Motivational interviewing techniques to assist the patient will help create new options and steps to break free from addiction.
Stage Three – Preparation
The patient commits to change in this stage. The medical team has the mandate to help the patient adhere to the recovery process without skipping or unconsciously taking detrimental actions. Inadequate preparation before taking action by the patient must be avoided in this stage. The patient must gather information on the options for change with the help of healthcare providers. Counselors, doctors, therapists, and nurses provide the required guidance and information. If the preparation is given at a holistic approach, as found at My Recovery Corps, developing a personalized treatment plan for the patient becomes effortless.
Stage Four – Action
The action simply means real change being experienced – behavioral change. When a patient is enrolled in a detox program or a residential treatment center, navigation through the early stages of recovery is made possible. This is done with the help of doctors and other medical professionals. The action stage dictates that the patient be engaged in treatment that strictly addresses the underlying issues – causes of addiction. The patient gets a better understanding of the cause of addiction when individual and group therapy is provided. The promotion of holistic wellness that bolsters recovery becomes possible at this stage. Healthy and effective coping strategies to stress and addiction triggers are also formulated at this stage.
Stage Five – Maintenance and Recovery
The assumption of personal responsibility to remain abstinent and sober is witnessed after the individual completes the rehab and treatment programs. Maintenance is all about remaining sober and committing to achieving this goal while back in the community or home. Chances of relapse are higher if cautious measures are not taken. The patient must practice the art of living in recovery. For a successful maintenance stage, aftercare, support groups, and alumni programs should be considered.
Stage Six – Termination
The transformation of recovery is complete at this stage. An individual’s likelihood of regaining health, relationships, job, and financial independence is much higher. Self-esteem and confidence are regained too.
Drug addiction can have detrimental effects on both the patient and the family. Seeking professional help from a rehab center is among the best steps to take towards recovery. The stages to recovery, as stated above, comes with drastic changes all aimed at making you a better and productive person in the long run.
