A person that has a problem with substance abuse is suffering from a disease where the treatment is very complex in nature. In the U.S., roughly 22.7 million people have an addiction, but of them, only 10% receive treatment. Addiction recovery involves several steps for effective treatment. A person with addiction or the loved one of someone addicted might wonder, what are the stages of addiction recovery?
Therapists who are trained in helping others with their addiction recovery will determine the stage of addiction. This assessment will enable the creation of strategies and tools to guide you or your loved one through the stages of addiction recovery.
The 5 Stages of Addiction Recovery
The definition of addiction by the American Psychiatric Association is defined as, “a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence.” There are five stages involved with addiction recovery: Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance.
Recognizing where the client is will determine the strategies should be used to treat them. For example, a person who is in the maintenance stage should be given tools that help them remain engaged in living a sober life. That could mean that they attend regular Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after completing a treatment plan.
Acknowledging There is a Problem
In the first stage of addiction recovery, the person is in the precontemplation stage where they usually haven’t admitted to themselves that they have a problem. The severity of their situation doesn’t weigh on them; instead, they are doing what they feel they have to do, whether that’s due to legal trouble or pressure from loved ones.
Commonly, the person will avoid conversations about their addiction, even avoiding people in their lives who tend to bring it up. An intervention at this stage would likely end in failure because the person still denies the reality of their situation. It’s common for the person to blame a stressful home life, job, or other external factors for their addiction.
Recovered addicts usually remember this time as a very dark period where they often have reached their rock bottom. Once the person acknowledges that they do in fact have a problem, they can move on to the next stage of addiction recovery.
Accepting That Help is Needed
A person who now knows that they have a problem still is uncertain about why or what to do about it. At the contemplation stage, they are deciding that they must get help. This is a huge step and may last for several months.
During this time, they will usually continue to abuse alcohol or drugs. Their feelings of hopelessness can increase, as well as their hopes when they think about changing. It’s this feeling of both anxiety and excitement that are found at the end of the contemplation stage.
Preparing For The Recovery Process
Once someone suffering with addiction has decided to make a change, they move on to the preparation stage. The plans may consist of entering a rehabilitation clinic or trying on their own to abstain from drugs and alcohol, although this is generally more difficult and more prone to relapses. The act of deciding on when to start their road to recovery is a sign that they are getting ready to move on to the next stage.
Beginning the Recovery Process
During the action stage, the person starts the process of recovery. This is when the person starts to change their behavior and may check into a rehabilitation clinic. They will start to feel a sense of accomplishment as they take the action that’s necessary to their recovery.
This is probably one of the most important stages out of the five. It’s also the one in which the person must make the greatest amount of effort, building the foundation for achieving the goal of long-term sobriety. It’s often that the person experiences a lot of vulnerability in this stage but also the feeling of satisfaction.
Maintaining Addiction Recovery
Recovery is a process that requires a great deal of dedication and strength to achieve. After the action stage, they move to maintenance. That could be brought on by the person’s treatment at a rehabilitation clinic coming to an end. It’s important to note that relapse is a common part of recovery. Approximately 40-60% of individuals in recovery have a relapse in the first year. However, a relapse does not mean that the recovery process is a failure. Recovery is a process, and individuals who have relapsed should take time to reflect and reaffirm their commitment to staying healthy. Having support systems in place during recovery is a strong factor in preventing relapses and continuing to maintain their sobriety.
Speak to the Professional Addiction Treatment
If you or a loved one is ready to begin the road to recovery, reach out for professional help to get started from a place of strength. Our compassionate team at Aquila Recovery is happy to talk to you and tell you how we can help. Contact Aquila Recovery today to talk about your situation and start working to create a treatment plan that’s right for you.