This is a guest post from Dr. Nazish Idrees.
The five stages of change have helped many better understand the progression from addiction to recovery.
Addiction transforms the lives of all those people who live around the person who is involved in addiction. It turns a kind and dedicated person into a lonely and hopeless soul.
The impact of this disease breaks several relationships and throws the person with addiction in complete darkness. There is still a light of hope and success when addiction recovery occurs. Substance use disorders are manageable with an individualized treatment plan.
Five Stages of Change
Addiction recovery is progressed through the five stages of change. This model involves the participation of families to facilitate the recovery of those who are addicted. Every stage demands a few steps to take to support a substance user and his or her family as a team.
It would be beneficial if families joined the psychotherapy group with the substance user. Every stage offers a course of action to identify the present problems. Once the members admit there is a problem, the preparation begins to deal with it. Addiction treatment is lifelong progress regardless of the type of addiction and substance/s used.
Evidence-based approaches are combined as integrated therapies to apply for addiction recovery. The number of different symptoms prefer healing through a holistic plan including 12 steps program, group meetings, individual sessions, assertive skills training, and behavior modification.
To accomplish this purpose, a model is used named the trans-theoretical model. The model demonstrates that recovery is not a smooth, straight road full of bumps and rocks. Still, few people cross it in a flow, and others need intensive rehabilitation guidance for longer.
The goal of addiction recovery is to realize that putting in an effort will take them to self-awareness. This awareness improves the quality of choices they make in the present moment. The core term, which teaches people with substance use to move and walk again after the paralysis of addiction, is compassion.
The compassion practiced by all those surrounding the lives of people with substance use is mandatory. For example, substance use is closely wired into lying. To cope with lying behaviour compassion is the ladder. It has been wonderfully described in this article
Pre-Contemplation Stage
Among the five stages of change for the recovery model, pre-contemplation is the first one. This is marked by denial. The affected person is unwilling to listen to the suggestion for treatment. By the time refusal continues, they justify and defend their reality. This is also known as a lack of insight.
The need at this point is to highlight the negative influences of substance use and the positive influence of expected treatment outcomes. People who lack knowledge about their opposing views usually remain stuck in denial. There is no limit to facing disappointments and failed attempts. But get ready to witness the possibility of success in the end.
The power of belief that they can recover takes them to another level. They plan to find the reasons to quit. They make goals to stay sober. For example, a father may plan to become sober for his daughter’s future. Take a sneak peek at a relevant article here https://cathytaughinbaugh.com/10-things-addiction-has-taught-me/
This is verified by the fact that in only America, the statistics have shown that 20 million people were recovering by the end of the year 2022.
Contemplation Stage
The second of the stages change is the contemplation stage. In this phase, readiness for recovery is observed. The person with substance use agrees to consider options to live in recovery in the future. They can analyze the benefits of staying free of drug use.
Their loved ones must build their confidence in showing courage to get rid of substances. It is recommended to stop pointing out the mistakes and discontinue attacking them for what they did wrong under the influence of a substance.
It would be safe to direct them toward several other healthy activities and coping mechanisms. This idea has been illustrated as “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.’
This quote by an anonymous writer has beautifully expressed the need to do something before expecting recovery from addiction. An online skill course is one of the tested and tried activities to enjoy. Under the supervision of a trained coach, such programs introduce an opportunity to tune in with own body through breathing practices.
Preparation
The next phase is the preparation stage of change. With regular facilitation to recover from bodily symptoms of cravings, withdrawal, and urge to continue, there come the steps towards a sober routine. However, the desire to recover deepens; it could present a pause for a day or more rather than a relapse.
The intention stays with attempting to continue sobriety again after a lapse. Such steps may keep the urgency of discussing unexpected challenges with a therapist. The negative emotions may trigger them to take a break from guided practices like the one available here: https://www.somabreath.com/. The least support loved ones do for the affected person at this stage is to join them in selecting healthy coping distractions and accompanying them in courses.
An example case is a mother who takes her son to a guided meditation and mindfulness class at a nearby park. Together, they achieved movement from the third to the fourth stage, the action stage. During this period, they celebrate major actions they have taken so far to seek recovery. This demonstrates a true improvement. Family work and psychosocial support warrant real fruits.
Action Stage
The action stage is further designed to establish a bonding between a person who uses substances with those who do not. A sense of belongingness is the most powerful characteristic of recovery motivation. People show commitment to daily changes with or without the help of a professional if they have the support of those they want to live with.
There is an interesting tip to follow for maximum desirable changes as they recover. That facilitates delaying taking a lapse. Spend as much time with them to keep them distracted from substance use. Doing this abstinence inclined them even more toward a sober life.
This is human nature that everyone wants acceptance and belongingness. Why don’t we strengthen it to prevent self-destructive behaviours? Use this tactic multiple times in a day. For example, if you need to take them on a walk for 15 minutes, extend this time to 45 minutes. You may offer some time relaxing on a bench and talking about any random topic, such as what pets do.
The purpose is to engage them with a non-judgmental stance. This stage is an initial sign that they have grabbed the right path. Stretch these moments positively with neutral responses and favourable gestures to catch from family rather than hostility and anger. This article has wonderful guidance about kicking out judgment from conversations.
Maintenance
The final stage is maintenance. Here the person with substance use seeks recovery following the hard work they agreed to do. The new and changed lifestyle that he or she has adopted can be a mix of a workout regimen, enjoying sports, restful sleep, and healthy meals. They also do a lot of urge surfing to believe in their capacity to continue sobriety.
Monitor them politely. Ask indirect questions about how they are doing. Some examples are “what about today’s meeting,” “tell us how you make adjustments to enhance focus” and so on. Anywhere between six months and 5-10 years, the person struggles to recover as a part of their survival.
The level of care also depends on the severity and role of genes. More than social support, the person’s determination is necessary for reaching the top of this process pyramid.
In conclusion
Evaluate the day-to-day improved state of health. Reward the sober person and review what inspiration you caught to slowly and steadily win the race for freedom.
Recovery is equal to freedom. It is not possible to control substance use. Let the control dissolve. Read this article to obtain some relevant ideas.
Keep your eyes on aftercare, and view it as a cured state of mind when behaviour is manageable. For the majority of people, it is applied after discharge from rehab. For at least the next few years, complete follow-ups with your loved one in psychotherapeutic sessions, 12 steps and AA meetings, outpatient appointments, and whatever is suggested for you.
Let’s take away the message. Paying attention to maintain recovery must be prioritized. Due to the high relapse rate, frequent efforts to achieve recovery must be continuous. Make this a lifestyle throughout your lifetime. We know how to do it, but when will we make recovery necessary?
Dr. Nazish Idrees is an internationally certified addiction professional for the last 6 years. She practices third-wave cognitive therapies using an integrated approach. As a culturally competent counsellor, she believes that psychotherapeutic interventions and innovative research projects would make a difference in addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. She is a member of ISSUP and participates in training and conferences worldwide.
Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, Jill. Thank you for stopping by.