Recovery looks different for everyone; no two journeys look alike. Each person has certain things that led to their addiction, but with the proper help, recovery is possible.
Rehabilitation professionals understand recovery can be a messy process and making life-changing decisions can be scary. With the right team, recovery is possible.
Recovery’s 5 Stages
The 5 Stages of Recovery helps people understand where they are in the recovery process. By knowing what to look for, patients can be prepared to handle the ups and downs of recovery.
Here are three key factors professionals consider:
- how open someone is to recovery
- current coping strategies
- understand what led to a patient’s addiction
These three factors help rehab professionals gauge if a patient is ready to head to the next stage or if they need more time.
Stage One: Precontemplation
In the pre-contemplative stage of change, the patient’s in denial about needing help to recover. The patient will either try to defend or rationalize their dependence on drugs or alcohol.
Rehab professionals will use motivational interviewing techniques that help the patient reflect on their choices that led to addiction. Slowly, patients begin to become less defensive and understand they need help to recover.
Stage Two: Contemplation
The second stage focuses on the personal consequences of their addiction and time to reflect on past mistakes. Patients start to show signs they’re open to continuing this discussion but still not ready to take action to change.
It’s a tumultuous time in the addict’s recovery. There’s fear that acknowledging their past and their mistakes, there’s anxiety about the choices they made, and they’re also worried about what their friends and family will think of them.
Stage Three: Preparation
Patients start to make preparations by writing in journals and openly accepting a need to change. Other patients might skip this stage and go right into fighting their addiction. Rehab professionals help guide patients with these changes and empower them to find the recovery option that works for them.
Stage Four: Action
Patients begin taking action and making progress to start their recovery. This is where patients learn new coping strategies, their addiction, and develop communication skills to help boost their confidence.
This is the root of most addiction treatment out there. It’s to make the patient constantly aware of their addiction while making sure they can communicate needs rather than relying on their former coping mechanism.
Action creates the building blocks of the rest of the patient’s life in sobriety. As you’ve noticed, there are 4 steps before this one. It’s because
Stage Five: Maintenance/Recovery
Patients focus on learning ways to avoid triggers and old habits that can show up once treatment is done. The team of rehab professionals organizes resources that will help the patient transition into an outpatient program. Strong ties to family, friends and being active in support groups help make transitioning out much smoother.
Aspen can Help
Taking the first step into treatment for drugs or alcohol dependence can be scary if done alone. Let our team of medical professionals and recovery experts guide you as you begin to learn how to handle the stressors of a sober life.
Our team is ready to help you every step of your road to recovery and to help change your life for the better. Contact the Aspen Behavioral Group to learn how we can help.
