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Six stages Change Recovery

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The Six Stages of Change in Recovery

Addiction is recognized and treated in six stages.

The process is different for every addict.

They often find themselves stuck in one stage for a long time before they progress to the next step.

When you go through recovery you experience many changes.

The six stages of change in recovery are pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse.

People approach treatment in many different ways.

The best addiction care is client-focused.

Receiving comprehensive addiction care makes recovery possible.

Resurgence understands the stages of change in recovery and will help you understand each stage as it relates to you.

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Completing the six stages of change in recovery

Addiction isn’t going to go away with proper planning and medical intervention.

The beginning stages of recovery is uncomfortable.

Depending on the duration of use, amount and drug type can impact the level of care necessary to help you detox safely.

The biggest hurdle of the six stages of change in recovery is taking action.

If you are stuck at any one of the six stages of change in recovery reaching out for interventions is necessary to prevent relapse or continued use.

Getting care for addiction sets you up for successful recovery.

Resurgence Behavioral Health is helping to lead positive outcomes with innovative addiction care.

Our approach of blending holistic and medical intervention improves outcomes.

Throughout the six stages of recovery treating both your physical and mental health is key.

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What are the Six Stages of Change in Recovery?

Each stage can last for years. Sometimes an addict will never get past the first and second stage of change in recovery. The opiate and meth crisis in America has slowly increased drug-related deaths. Overdoses are at an all-time high. Communities have encouraged the distribution of Narcan to prevent overdose. Without treatment, addiction is a progressive disease. As you progress through the stages of change in recovery you begin to understand how to treat your addiction. How you get to the action stage in the changes in recovery depends on your experiences.

Pre-contemplation

This is an active untreated addiction. The individuals have not even considered their behavior is a problem. They also struggle with feelings of doubt that their use is problematic. Shifting blame is a frequent excuse at this stage. Denial of any problems is very common. Sadly, many addicts get stuck at pre-contemplation. There are a few reasons why someone can get stuck. First is resistance to change. Other reasons may be stem from resentment from accusations and perceived exaggerations. Addiction itself is overwhelming to deal with. Many simply just rationalize their behavior.

Contemplation

Contemplation begins when an addict begins questioning their use. This may happen after a traumatizing experience while using. During this stage of change in recovery, there is an acknowledgment of a problem. However, contemplation is another stage that addicts find difficult to get through. Often addicts stay on the fence about medical treatment. The feeling of ambivalence stops them from making a choice. Willing to learn more, but not worth the effort into pursuing more intensive addiction care. Previous attempts at recovery could be another reason for ambivalence towards the changes in recovery.

Preparation

Preparation is setting the stage for treatment to begin very soon. Carefully planning is essential to ensure your treatment goes smoothly and is successful. This is why the interviews in the preparation stage of change in recovery benefit the client. Discussing healthy relationships identifies supportive individuals. Early lessons regarding positive self-talk to help support goals for positive change. Planning and preparation reinforce the reality of the changes in recovery. When you are prepared for treatment, you can feel more confident about recovery.

Admission into Resurgence Behavioral Health helps individuals brace themselves for the impending changes. The most important thing you can do for yourself is to be able, to be honest in the treatment environment. This is why every resident is met where they are within their stage of change in recovery.

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Action

Welcome to day 1. This is the moment in the 6 stages of change in recovery that you stop using. The clinical measurement of changes in recovery begins. The length of care is dependent on the changes that need to be made. Periodically a dual diagnosis can complicate recovery. In these instances, you have to treat and stabilize both conditions to move through the changes in recovery. More frequently the action stage is completed within a few months. Learning to think ahead about possible struggles is a milestone in recovery. Focus on the current benefits of behavioral changes in recovery. Comprehensive addiction care is the best option for a successful recovery. Resurgence is leading the way for helping people move through the stages of change in recovery. Change doesn’t happen suddenly. It takes time to practice, model, and learn alternative behaviors. Maintaining a great network of support starts from day 1.

Maintenance

Reaching the maintenance stage is a momentous occasion. After 6 months of consistent positive change, the transition stage in recovery is reached. One can stay in this stage of recovery for the rest of their life. Receiving a good foundation in addiction treatment can help you sustain long-term behavioral change. Aftercare is a fundamental aspect of the maintenance stage in recovery. Being honest about the difficulty or temptation can help you find solutions to help you through these situations. Lastly acknowledging all the positives that happened because of your commitment to change helps reinforce continued recovery. Relapse is a conditional stage of recovery. This happens when an individual achieves sobriety and then relapses, returning to previous negative behaviors. Relapse is common, this is why it’s the last stage of change in recovery. Learning from relapses helps reinforce future sobriety.

Termination

This is the stage of change in recovery where you have completely adapted to your new sober self-image. Consistently refusing to surrender to any temptation. Once reached, the sixth stage of change in recovery is about expressing your new confidence and complete self-control. Every relapse prevention plan has consistently improved your life in meaningful ways. At this stage of change in recovery, it becomes unthinkable to relapse.

Where You Fit in the Stages of Change in Recovery

Few people truly understand how addition transforms the brain. The general public misconceptions assuming addiction is a choice. If only it was sobriety was so simple. The truth is addiction is a progressive disease. Medical care is paramount to recovery. You will earn that you must stay on top of your mental and physical health to avoid relapses. Like any chronic disease of the body preventative care is vital to remain sober. Fighting back and striving to find sustainable recovery starts with comprehensive addiction care focused on you.

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How to Move through the Stages of Change in Recovery

Recovery works best when you are ready to commit to change.

Recovery is about rediscovering your sober self.

These 6 stages of change in recovery are a reflection of how recovery begins.

Clinicians identify which therapeutic strategies are best suited using the six stages of change model.

Committing to caring should include a place where you will be provided with comprehensive care.

Addiction is a brain disorder.

When you are given the proper treatment for a co-occurring disorder it improves your likelihood of moving through the six stages of change in recovery.

Resurgence Behavioral Health is the answer to your addiction needs.

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David Rofofsky
David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.


Research | Editorial

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