One of the famous sayings about addiction recovery is that it is a journey, not a destination. Like with any journey, there are milestones you reach. Each phase of your recovery journey is also a milestone – a big victory to celebrate, along with the small ones. In this article, we will explore what these phases or milestones will look like for you.
What Are the Stages of Addiction Recovery?
There are the early, middle, and late stages of addiction recovery that are divided into five, as explained by the transtheoretical model:
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Precontemplation
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Contemplation
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Preparation
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Action
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Maintenance.
The reason why they are divided into stages or phases is to adapt your treatment to each stage. For instance, in the early stages, you are likely to be more resistant and emotionally vulnerable, so the focus is on reducing cravings and achieving abstinence. As you progress, the focus will be on understanding the benefits of maintaining your recovery and the risks of going back to substance use.
What Is Stage 1: Precontemplation?
In the first stage of precontemplation, you might not yet be ready for recovery. You may be defensive and justify your substance use. Your loved ones may find it difficult to reach you.
This is why licensed mental health practitioners use tools like psychoeducation and motivational interviewing to break through your defenses so that you can move past the ambivalence toward treatment and onward toward recovery.
What Is Stage 2: Contemplation?
In this stage, you are contemplating recovery. You understand the benefits of overcoming substance use, but still have some fears – such as, how will you be able to feel good without the substance, how can you have fun with your friends otherwise, and so on.
Motivational interviewing remains a useful therapeutic tool that therapists utilize in this stage, as it employs both empathy and motivation to gently nudge you toward treatment and recovery.
What Is Stage 3: Preparation?
In the preparation stage, you become more urgent to move toward sobriety, and you begin to take action – like joining 12 Step groups, exercising, or seeing a therapist.
Temporary abstinence is common in this stage, but without a properly structured treatment plan, this is difficult to maintain. Cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and triggers can make it very challenging (and dangerous, too).
This is why your inner drive and family/friends can be your biggest weapon in this stage. With support, you can move toward treatment and build on your personal reasons to stay sober.
What Is Stage 4: Action?
In this stage, you have made changes in your life as you are more motivated toward change. The action stage is defined by abstinence and a desire to maintain abstinence.
While triggers such as cravings, mood shifts, relationship troubles, and feelings of loneliness are common – with supportive counseling, medication, lifestyle changes, and peer support, you build on your strengths and community to maintain your commitment toward sobriety.
What Is Stage 5: Maintenance?
In the maintenance stage, you are focused on preventing relapse. With your therapist or counselor, you are going to reinforce the recovery principles of coping skills, lifestyle changes, and peer support in your daily life.
Recovery is not easy, which is why the maintenance stage can last for long – even up to 5 years, depending on the person. Relapse can be very common in this stage – especially in the first six months, as relapse rates run as high as 40% to 60% for substance use.
But as sobriety becomes the “new normal,” you begin to adjust to your new life and seize the new opportunities that come with it. While some can feel bored or lonely, ongoing therapy, 12 Step and non-12 Step groups, and lifestyle changes can become the keys to sustaining recovery.
What If Relapse Still Happens?
Relapse has negative connotations because it is construed as you having failed – but the truth is far from it. Relapse is part and parcel of recovery. It is a challenge that you have to overcome, just like you have come this far in your sobriety journey.
If relapse happens, do not be harsh with yourself. Practice forgiveness and reach out to your therapist or counselor immediately. They can help you relearn and reapply recovery principles so that you can overcome this challenge with strength and confidence.
How Will Treatment Centers Guide Me Through These Stages?
Treatment or rehab centers base their recovery programs around the five stages of addiction recovery. No two persons are the same, so personalizing the program to your needs with each evolving stage provides the right care you need at the right time.
Effective treatment approaches are built on a deeper understanding of addiction itself, allowing care teams to tailor interventions based on both behavioral patterns and clinical needs.
For instance, in the early stages, psychoeducation and motivational interviewing are used to overcome your nonchalance and nudge you toward recovery.
In the middle stages, properly structured rehab programs are suggested depending on your diagnosis and the level of care you need. These can be both residential and outpatient.
In the later stages, the focus is on aftercare planning to maintain your recovery. This will involve ongoing therapy/counseling, medication management, lifestyle changes, peer support, and even sober living (if required).
The goal of aligning treatment to the five stages of recovery is to meet you where you are in your recovery journey – for it to be relevant and effective.
Final Reflections
Understanding the five stages of addiction recovery reminds you that progress looks different at every phase – and each step forward matters. With personalized care, support, and self-compassion, recovery becomes not just possible but also sustainable.
markmunroe
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