Stages Definition
You acknowledge concerns and are considering the possibility of change but are ambivalent and uncertain of making the change.
Contemplation.
After 5 years of excessive alcohol use, Eddie completes a inpatient treatment program. He has now been abstinent of all substances for two years and has a large support system around him.
Maintenance – Eddie has successfully stopped using and now lives a sober lifestyle with a large support system.
What Can Hold You Back: A sense that making the necessary changes will require too much work or discomfort. Hopelessness from previous failed attempts. Limiting beliefs about what is possible or permissible for you.
What is pre-contemplation?
A person who doesn't fee like they can do much about the problem and don’t want to
Precontemplation
How many cats does Ms. Sierra have?
2
In this stage, you are planning on making changes to your behavior within the next 30 days.
Preparation.
Eliza decides that she is tired of constantly being numb and lethargic having brain fog from smoking weed and tells her therapist she is ready to change. Her therapist helps her find support groups and make an appointment with a treatment program.
Preparation – Eliza has recognized her problem and is preparing to take action.
What can hold you back-Expecting tangible results too quickly. Resistance to change. Fear of failure, feeling inept. Slipping into old behaviors out of stress or habit. Competing commitments. Lacking social support. Insisting on perfection rather than progress.
What is action?
See how behavior can be a problem, but not fully invested in change.
Contemplation
Is Ms. Sierra's degreee in
A. Psychology
B. Counseling
C. Social work
C. Social Work
In this stage, you are actively making steps to change your behavior.
Action.
Reba is a high school student who has begun using her friends prescription pills with some other students after school. Her friend tells her its dangerous, but Reba insists she is having fun and the drugs are safe because they came from a pharmacy.
Precontemplation – Reba does not believe there is anything wrong with her behaviors and incorrectly views the drugs as “safe.”
What can hold you back-Underestimating your need to prepare, and skipping straight to the next phase without adequate skills, knowledge or confidence. Being afraid to ask for or acknowledge that you need help. Not knowing where to turn for information and support.
What is preparation?
Gathering information, evaluating alternatives, and taking small steps to change. Begins looking to the future instead of the past.
Preparation
Where did Ms. Sierra go to college?
Marshall
Individuals in this stage have been engaging in the new behavior consistently for over 6 months.
Maintenance.
Roger is addicted to opioids and has been abstinent for 2 months. He regularly sees a therapist and attends NA meetings once a week.
Action – Roger is on the right track but remains in the action because he has not reached the 6 month point required to enter the maintenance stage.
What Can Hold You Back: Hitting a plateau. Getting bored or distracted. Losing track of your original motivation after an initial success. An unexpected setback or injury. Feeling depleted, tired or overwhelmed by life events.
What is maintenance?
A time when change becomes visible to others, people need supportive relationships the most, and requires a great deal of your time and energy.
Action
Who is Ms. Sierra's favorite musical artist?
Taylor Swift
In this stage of change, an individual may be unaware of or may rationalize the problems related to the behavior.
Pre-contemplation
After successfully quitting a severe marijuana and alcohol habit, Lucy was sober for over 8 months. One afternoon she sees an old friend that betrayed her, and gets depressed. She goes to see her best friend and asks if she has a vape or joint they can smoke together. She gets high to avoid her feelings of depression.
Relapse – Lucy had entered the maintenance phase but encountered a trigger and then relapsed.
What can hold you back-Lacking a powerful sense of urgency or motivation. Difficulty balancing competing priorities. Fear of change. A sense that now isn’t the time, or that you aren’t equipped to make the change you desire.
What is contemplation?
A person will still face challenges that require new thinking or approaches, but they may have increased confidence.
Maintenance
What are the names of Ms. Sierra's cats?
Marshmellow and Sundae