Stages of Recovery from Addiction
STAGE O. Active Uncontrolled Addiction
STAGE 1. Transition: Understanding and overcoming the ambivalence of recognizing and personally accepting addiction;
STAGE 2. Stabilization: Regaining the biopsychosocial balance required to maintain abstinence, manage craving, and self-regulate thoughts and feelings;
STAGE 3. Early Recovery: developing the skills to identify and manage addictive and irresponsible behaviors that can cause unnecessary pain and problems in recovery;
STAGE 4. Middle Recovery: Developing the relationships and lifestyle skills needed to support a meaningful, sober, and responsible way of life.
STAGE 5. Late Recovery: Learning to identify and manage core mistaken beliefs about self, others, and the world that interfere with developing and maintaining a sober and responsible way of life.
STAGE 6. Maintenance: Learning the skills necessary for recognizing and managing trigger events, early relapse warning signs, high risk situations, craving, and addiction seeking behavior.
Treatment Process
Diagnosis:
- individual undergoes drug testing.
- treatment providers learn about the circumstances of substance use.
- treatment providers develop a plan for the full rehabilitation process for that individual.
Medical Detox:
- process is a few days to two weeks or more, most detox periods are 5-7 days.
Therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: aimed at recognizing and managing triggers and cravings.
- Contingency Management: directly rewards abstinence and relapse preventive behaviors.
- Community Reinforcement Approach: provides incentives and positive behaviors that make substance use less desirable.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy: resolves ambivalence and increases desire for recovery.
Peer Group Work:
- individual works the 12-Step model.
- individual connects with others who are also struggling with addiction for support, education, and accountability.
Other Options in Rehab:
- exercise and nutrition programs.
- meditation and yoga.
- animal-assisted therapy.
- art or music therapy.
- journaling or writing.
Aftercare:
- individual returns to daily life while still engaging in regular therapy, 12-Step meetings, etc.
- recovery house living minimizes access to substances while providing continuing education and therapy opportunities.
Long-term Sobriety:
- continued care continuity is an important element of long-term recovery.