What Are the Stages of Addiction Recovery?
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If you or someone close to you has struggled with addiction, it is normal to ask, “What are the stages of addiction recovery?” or “How do I know when I am ready to get help?” In this blog, we’ll review the stages of addiction recovery and how to seek help for addiction.
What are the Stages of Addiction Recovery?
There are five key stages to addiction recovery. Individuals tend to move through them in a pattern, but as a client gets help, they may face relapse, where they jump back into some of the stages and then move through them again.
#1: Precontemplation
The first stage is when a client refuses to acknowledge the issue. Someone in the precontemplation phase won’t admit that there is a drug or alcohol issue or that they need help. They often won’t talk about anything related to their behaviors, either. In this stage, an individual:
- Is in denial
- Doesn't see any positive things to come from getting help
- Doesn't see they they need help
- Isn’t ready to take action yet
#2: Contemplation
The second stage differs from the first in that an individual at this point recognizes there might be a problem. This is when the mind shifts more into acceptance that changes might need to be made and a plan might need to be crafted.
Contemplation can be a long stage, one full of emotional turmoil and the quest to improve personal motivation for change.
For example, during this stage, an individual is likely to reflect on:
- Current behaviors
- Addictive choices
- Pros and cons
- Worries about guilt or shame
- Concerns about family
- Whether they can “stick it out” without help
This stage can take several months because each person has reasons why they aren’t taking action or things preventing them from getting help. Sometimes it takes time to move beyond these.
#3: Preparation
At this stage, individuals prepare themselves to get help. They know there is a problem, and they can see that getting help has benefits. This preparation can include:
- Making minor changes to addictive behaviors at home
- Researching facilities
- Checking on insurance coverage
- Emotionally preparing to start a new chapter in life
#4: Action
What are the stages of addiction recovery leading up to this point? Action. The purpose of the previous three stages is to help move individuals toward action.
Action is where you no longer think about getting help, but you do.
At Nova Transformations, we help you find the light within yourself through our partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program options. Our flexible outpatient programs make it easy to participate part-time or full-time in your recovery without having to reside at a treatment center.
With therapies like music therapy, art therapy, and psychodrama, we have an elevated, professional setting that redefines the group therapy process. A big part of the success of this action step comes from learning coping and life skills that will aid in your follow-up step and being able to practice those skills in real-time while you are in treatment. Tools you pick up on emotional regulation or lessons learned about what led you to self-medicate can be applied when you are in treatment and when you go home at night.
#5: Maintenance
The final step is considered maintenance. This is when you’ve already taken action by participating in a treatment program, and now you have to maintain your lifelong sobriety.
During this phase, you may encounter significant challenges, including a relapse, and at that time, you can move back through other stages like contemplation and action.
With Nova Transformations, we help you maintain your sobriety by breaking the routine of addiction with experiential outings, nutrition groups, and weekend outings. Our goal is to shift away from the traditional expectations of a drug or alcohol rehab program and show you that you can have fun in your sobriety and you can find things to live for when you are done with treatment.
So, what are the stages of addiction recovery? They are broken down into the time frame before someone realizes there is a problem, when they realize, when they get help, and how they maintain their sobriety. If you are transitioning through the stages of recovery, Nova Transformations can help.
Call Nova Transformations to learn more about the unique outpatient programs available at our drug rehab.