If you are struggling with any form of addiction, you can now visit a rehab and start your treatment program on the go. As you undergo this treatment, you will be able to recover from the addiction and become a better person. However, the process of recovery is not as easy as some people deem it to be. There are several challenges that you might experience. Therefore, there is a need to know the various stages of change in addiction recovery. By understanding these stages, you can understand what to expect as you head to your rehab facility of choice. Some of these stages include:
Pre-contemplation Stage
During this stage, you are yet to admit that you have a problem. Whether it is alcohol or drug abuse, the chances are that you might be in denial or completely ignorant of the existing problem. During this stage, most people usually avoid conversations relating to their problems. Some addicts even avoid people who bring such conversations up. Most people here tend to avoid the sober people around them and instead gravitate to non-sober individuals.
Contemplation Stage
Towards the end of the pre-contemplation stage, you will have managed to move from the denial phase to the resignation phase. During the stage mentioned above, you have accepted that indeed you are struggling with alcohol or drug problems and that you need to change your behavior as soon as possible. The main challenge you might experience during this stage is that you might be struggling to know what caused the addiction. Better still, you might be wondering how you can move forward and so on.
Preparation Stage
At this stage, you are ready to take action. From attending group therapy in the process recovery center to confiding to someone whom you trust, there are many options you can consider as you seek help regarding your addiction problem. The professionals whom you consult will assess your problem and advise you accordingly.
During this stage, you will be making small changes in your lifestyle, such as reducing your alcohol or drug intake. Generally, you will be preparing to live a life devoid of alcohol or drugs that might adversely affect your health. All you need to do is choose the day or week you want to start your recovery journey. After that, you can now proceed to the action stage.
Action Stage
The real change takes place during this stage. For most addicts, this stage begins with a detox program. Here, the professional at the rehab will offer the much-needed support through the early stages of recovery. Since the physical recovery process starts at this stage, the addict has to move away from bad influencers and peer groups.
Also, you will no longer be taking alcohol or abusing other drugs the way you used to do in the past. This stage might be challenging for many people, but with adequate support at the rehab facility, you can manage to overcome the addiction.
Maintenance Stage
Although this stage is often overlooked by many, it is one of the most vital stages for anyone undergoing the addiction recovery process. For optimal results, you have to develop inner strength and zeal to lead a new life free of drugs. As long as you remain engaged in a sober community, you will be good to go.
Termination Stage
The stage mentioned above is the ultimate goal for any drug addict. At this stage, addicts no longer abuse the drugs they used to abuse in the past. These individuals are more confident to lead a sober life, free from drugs. If all goes well, most people lead sober lives and become more responsible in the future.
By knowing the stages mentioned above of change in addiction recovery, you will be able to know what to expect once you choose to visit a rehab facility. Note the stages mentioned above, and you will be able to recover from drug addiction successfully.
