Stages of Change
Recognizing a problem but feeling unsure about change
What is the Contemplation Stage of change – awareness of a problem with ambivalence about change?
Internal experiences like thoughts or emotions that increase urges
What are internal triggers?
Pausing and focusing on the present moment
What is Mindfulness?
Personal values
What guides decision-making and reflects what matters most?
Individuals who provide encouragement and accountability
What are support persons? (family, peers, sponsors, providers).
Actively making changes to support recovery
What is the Action Stage of change – actively engaging in recovery behaviors?
Triggers involving people, places, or situations
What are external triggers?
Changing the environment to reduce cravings
What are environmental coping strategies?
Substance use often interferes with living in alignment with
What are values?
Peer support can reduce this common relapse risk
What is isolation?
Consistently practicing recovery skills
What is the Maintenance Stage of change – sustaining behavior change over time?
Strong emotions, such as stress or anger, acting as triggers
What are emotional triggers?
Calling a support person
What is social support coping?
Recovery strengthens the connection to
What are personal values and life direction?
Therapy, groups, and treatment programs are examples of
What are professional supports?
Stage marked by ambivalence and mixed feelings
What is the Contemplation Stage of change?
Being tired, hungry, or overwhelmed increases vulnerability to
What are cravings and relapse risk?
Healthy coping skills reduce this relapse-related risk
What are urges and cravings?
Identifying values can increase this
What is motivation for change?
Having a support system increases this
What are protective factors?
Stage focused on sustaining change and preventing relapse
What is the Maintenance Stage of change?
Awareness of triggers helps reduce this recovery risk
What is relapse risk?
Consistent coping skill practice builds
What is self-efficacy and recovery resilience?
Taking action aligned with values supports
What is long-term recovery?
Asking for help demonstrates this recovery skills
What are strength, insight, and accountability?