Basic Building Blocks
of Positive Change
Challenges and
Obstacles
Stages of Change
Change
Famous People
100

The essential Inner drive, focus and desire, that brings about positive change and attainment of goals.

Motivation

100

A strong addictive urge that can pull you in a way you may not want to go if you are not careful.

Craving

100

Stage 1: DENIAL.

During this stage, a person often isn’t aware that their behavior is a problem or doesn’t have a strong desire to make a change.

PRECONTEMPLATION

100

Hanging out in the same places can be environmental ____ and even cause relapse. 

triggers

100

This actor/comedian who lived in the bay area struggled with addiction and substance abuse. He committed suicide in 2014.

Robin Williams

200

The ability to look inside yourself honestly and truthfully: Self-awareness.

Insight

200

You may have went backwards a little bit but still you didn’t completely relapse

Setback

200

Stage 2: THINKING ABOUT IT.

When a person reaches this stage of addiction recovery, they may begin to see that their addictive behaviors need to change.

CONTEMPLATION

200

Any recreational or even work activities that put you at risk need to be ____ from your life. Nothing is more important than your recovery.

removed

200

The singer songwriter of Piano Man struggled with alcohol abuse for years before entering rehab.

Billy Joel

300

Something just about everyone needs when overcoming a difficult challenge, because it is so difficult to do it alone.

Support

300

Some people may try to deal with substance use issue by attempting use less, or change to a less harmful substance. If that isn’t working you may need to consider this more basic old option.

Abstinence/Sobriety

300

Stage 3: LET'S GET READY!

After a person realizes they want to make a change, they typically start to put a plan into place.

PREPARATION

300

Friends, family or groups who drink, abuse drugs, or engage in activities that are triggers for you, need to be avoided especially for those in early recovery. Find new and ___ people in support groups and meetings.

sober

300

This Marvel actor has struggled with alcoholism over the years.

Robert Downey Jr.

400

Building insight and motivation lead to this powerful experience defined by a strong sense of positive mental stimulation to try make things better.

Inspiration

400

With more severe addiction, particularly opioid, if the withdrawal or cravings are overwhelming it may be wise to consider seeing a doctor for this

Medication or Medication Assisted Treatment

400

Stage 4: DOING THE DANG THING.

For people struggling with drug or alcohol misuse, this may be entering detox, going to rehab or attending group support meetings. For people who are trying to moderate their substance use, they may make smaller changes to their daily routines or habits.

ACTION

400

Change is ___ under any circumstances, but for people in early recovery it can seem more difficult.

stressful

400

his music artist had a hit pop song come out a few years before her death called 'Rehab'

Amy Winehouse

500

If you find and discover this it can help you define your goals and add meaning and direction in your life.

Purpose

500

They say relapse doesn’t suddenly happen out of nowhere – It’s not an event, it is often much more of a gradual _____.

Process

500

Stage 5: KEEP ON KEEPING ON.

This could be continuing to practice the new behaviors a person learned during treatment, attending support groups, continuing therapy or counseling and/or remaining abstinent from using substances.

MAINTENANCE

500

One of the most popular sayings in AA Alcoholics Anonymous is “if you keep on doing the same things, you will keep on getting the same _____.”

results

500

This author, who wrote books such as Carrie and The Green Mile struggled with alcohol and prescription drug addiction for years.

Stephen King

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