Addiction develops in a subtle and gradual ways, but its effects are very harmful. The more you take, the worse your body and mental state will become. Each addiction can be influenced by a number of factors such as the substance being abused, prior drug use, family history, and age. It can also be affected by psychological behaviors and a myriad biological triggers.
Because of all of these factors, no two people will have an identical treatment plan to recovery. For example, some patients need to stay in residential care and then attend outpatient treatment afterward, while others only need to attend outpatient treatment.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are five stages of addiction recovery. These five stages include awareness and early acknowledgment, consideration, exploration of recovery options, early recovery, and active recovery and maintenance.
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Awareness and Early Acknowledgement
This stage is also known as the pre-contemplation stage where the individual who is affected by substance abuse begins to realize the harmful effect of their addiction. This realization usually comes from the results of having deep conversations with their family members, friends or colleagues.
If you’re dealing with an addicted individual, you’ll also experience this stage with them. The conversation tends to lead to thinking more about how addiction affect their social life, work, financial, health, and legal matters.
The first stage is always the most critical one. Although the addict might still engage in the behaviors, this first stage will help determine the path for the rest of the recovery process.
Most of the time, addicts will shift from the denial stage to their willingness to commit to making a change in their addictive behaviors. If you’re in this first stage, remember to just be patient.
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Consideration
The consideration stage is just as important as the first stage; this is when addicts will look beyond themselves. It’s called consideration because you begin to consider and understand the effects of your addictive behaviors toward your loved ones.
Although you haven’t decided which treatment center or what kind of treatment plan will work best for you, being in the second stage says a lot about your determination in pursuing recovery.
Once you’re in this stage, you should know you’re moving in the right direction. You should continue by gaining insights into the process and getting invaluable information from the right people.
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Exploring Recovery Options
During this stage, you’ll get serious in learning about how recovery works. You’ll become more open to consulting yourfamily members and friends, especially the ones who have been through similar experiences. You will collect all the information and figure out what treatment options they have.
This also the stage where you and your loved ones make the most critical decision entering a suitable addiction treatment center. It’s recommended to travel for treatment as it gives you a fresh perspective.The Help Care Addiction Recovery center in New York has multiple treatment programs that will suit your condition and needs.
It’s okay to take baby steps, though. Go at your own pace in deciding where you go, and always remember to ask questions before you make your final decision.
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Early Recovery
The early recovery stage is where the addicts have stopped using any and all substances and begin learning on how to remain free from drugs. This is a time of great significance because it’s also the stage where you experience great vulnerability.
After months or years of abusing and relying on drugs and alcohol, the fourth stage allows you to be in the process of abandoning behaviors, activities, and people who have been a significant part of your addiction journey.
In this stage, you will have to establish a very strong foundation for a new, drug-free life, but if you lack motivation and support, you can fall into relapse easily. Slipping back into drugs is common during this stage. As a matter of fact, you can actually expect it to happen, but it can be avoided if there is a strong support system in place.
Strong mental and emotional support from friends and family are crucial throughout this stage. It’s during the fourth stage that they begin developing healthy habits and new coping skills. You can even rebuild damaged relationships.
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Active Recovery and Maintenance
Now that you have passed all four stages, you have come to the final stage. That sounds like a great relief, right? You will still need to continue working hard for the rest of your life on guarding yourself from substances and against relapse. This final stage will always stay with you for the rest of your life.
You will need to constantly monitor your behaviors and thoughts, keep practicing new skills, staying alert to temptations and triggers, and maintain a good support system. Once you have reached the fifth stage, you are a brand-new person who will begin a new journey in life. Recovery is an ongoing process, so stay vigilant and remember to ask for help when you need it.
Understanding Recovery Process
Although the stages are introduced in an orderly approach, you have to understand it’s not always linear—people can move back and forth through the entire process and in every stage. Relapse is also possible. But just because you’re failing the first time, doesn’t mean you should stop right away; you should frame it as a reset.
All you need is a renewal of determination and always maintain your strong moral support. There is nothing better than having your loved ones behind your back to catch you whenever you stumble.
