NAME THAT STAGE
This is the stage where someone doesn’t yet see their behavior as a problem.
Precontemplation
Someone says: “I don’t have a problem; I can stop anytime.”
Precontemplation
You walk past your old bar on payday. Which stage skill helps here?
Action
I hide in plain sight. People say I’m not ready yet. I pretend nothing is wrong, but deep down others see the cracks. Who am I?
Precontemplation
Define one major psychological risk during maintenance.
complacency, overconfidence, or burnout
In this stage, someone admits there may be a problem but feels unsure about changing.
Contemplation
A client says: “I’ve cut back my using, but I still hang out with old friends who drink.”
Action
Holidays make you crave. Which stage best describes building a coping plan ahead of time?
Preparation
I’m torn between two roads. One feels familiar, one feels scary. I sit and wonder, but I don’t move yet. Who am I?
Contemplation
Describe how routines support long-term recovery.
They reduce uncertainty, reinforce structure, and create stability
This stage is marked by planning and small steps toward change.
Preparation
You hear: “I know I want to change, but I’m afraid of losing my friends if I quit.”
Contemplation
You’ve been sober for a year, but an anniversary of trauma makes you restless. Which stage skill protects you?
Maintenance
Time is my challenge. I’ve been here long enough to know cravings can return without warning. Some fall back, but I practice tools daily to guard the ground I’ve gained. Which stage am I?
Maintenance
What’s one danger of getting too comfortable in this stage
letting your guard down or skipping meetings
This is the stage where someone is actively making changes, like entering treatment or cutting back.
Action
Someone with 9 months sober journals daily, checks in with a sponsor, and has a relapse prevention plan.
Maintenance
A friend says: “I don’t need a plan, I’ll just rely on willpower.” Which stage are they stuck in?
Precontemplation
You’ll see me leaving old habits behind — deleting numbers, skipping parties, showing up to groups. I don’t just talk, I do. Which stage am I?
Action
What is the goal of the maintenance stage?
to stay on track, keep growing, and avoid relapse
In this stage, the focus is on preventing relapse and sustaining progress.
Maintenance
A person relapses after 6 months sober, then immediately calls their sponsor and re-enters outpatient treatment. Which stage are they in now?
Preparation
What are two items someone might gather to prepare for recovery?
Phone numbers for support, a meeting list, or a journal
I circle dates on the calendar, make phone calls, and tell myself: “This time will be different.” But the real test hasn’t started yet. Which stage am I?
Preparation
In the maintenance stage, why is emotional honesty with yourself and others critical, and what can happen if it’s avoided?
Emotional honesty helps prevent emotional relapse by allowing you to process feelings instead of suppressing them. If avoided, suppressed emotions can build into resentment, shame, or isolation which often lead to relapse.