Addiction recovery is not a simple process, but one that occurs over a period of time through several steps. To achieve sobriety, a person needs to recognize where they are right now, gaining an awareness of what’s happening to them. They may need to work through detox before receiving comprehensive treatment, aftercare, and relapse prevention. Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers a thorough process to guide individuals through the various stages of addiction recovery, ultimately leading to the most favorable long-term results. If you need help finding addiction treatment programs near you, call us at 833.448.0127, and one of our team members can help you or a loved one.
Understanding the Complexity of Addiction
While addiction can occur quickly, the damage it does to the brain is significant. It takes time for the brain to relearn and heal. A component of that is physical healing, but the other part is recognizing the challenges of recovery, gaining awareness, and creating a plan to manage the psychological damage that’s occurred. There are several steps or stages a person will go through during the addiction recovery process to achieve these goals.
Precontemplation
During this stage, a person doesn’t recognize there’s a problem and is unlikely to have experienced any type of negative outcome yet. The substance use feels good. In this phase, people often experience one or several of the following:
- They don’t recognize a problem
- They don’t have any desire to change
- They don’t want to be told what to do, and that keeps them using the substance
- They are overwhelmed by their habits, and that’s made it feel impossible to change
- The person believes they know the answers as to why substance abuse isn’t a factor for them
Contemplation
At this stage, a person comes to an awareness of the problem, though they have not made a decision to change. They may want it to change but cannot make the commitment to do so. However, they are more likely to want to learn about their options at this stage. This stage can last for years before a person decides to change.
Preparation
At this stage, often, something has changed. They are ready to take action to achieve sobriety. This is where addiction recovery begins to become more real. Many will reach out for help with an assessment at this point.
Action
This is the stage where something happens—they enroll in a detox program or move into a residential treatment program. They engage in some way with treatment for their addiction. They learn the tools and strategies necessary to cope with stress, deal with addiction, and maintain sobriety.
Maintenance
During maintenance, a person continues to receive care, but it is in the form of aftercare. They are working to maintain their sobriety, but this is also where relapse risk is the strongest.
Termination
In this area of recovery, the individual can maintain their sobriety without continual fear of relapse. This is the goal of addiction recovery—to not be weighed down by the addiction itself.
Why Is It Important to Understand Addiction Recovery Stages?
Understanding the stages of addiction recovery is crucial for several reasons:
- Setting expectations – Knowing what to expect at each stage of recovery can help individuals and their loved ones prepare mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead. It helps one understand that recovery is a process, not an event.
- Guiding treatment plans – Understanding these stages allows healthcare professionals to develop and adjust treatment plans according to the individual’s progress. Each stage requires different interventions and supports, so knowing where a person is in their recovery can guide the treatment approach.
- Providing appropriate support – For families and friends, understanding these stages can help them provide the right kind of support when it’s needed most. Each stage presents unique challenges, and being aware of these can help loved ones offer meaningful assistance.
- Promoting patience and compassion – Understanding that recovery is a process involving various stages can foster patience and compassion, both for the individual in recovery and those supporting them. This understanding underscores the fact that setbacks are part of the journey, not failure.
To effectively and compassionately manage the addiction recovery process and promote a sustainable recovery journey, it is important to have an understanding of the stages of addiction recovery. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, we provide the guidance and support needed to navigate them successfully.
How Addiction Recovery Programs Can Help
Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery offers support for those who are ready to start on the recovery path to achieve long-lasting sobriety. Addiction recovery takes time—for some months or more years. However, our team can offer help and guidance with a range of treatment programs, including:
- Men’s drug rehab
- Women’s drug rehab
- Medication-assisted treatment programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Outpatient treatment programs
- Mental health treatment programs
If you’re looking for addiction treatment programs near you or a loved one, our team can help. We offer discreet and compassionate care, personalized to meet the needs of each individual we work with.
Get the Help You Need at Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery
Understanding the stages of addiction recovery is a key part of addiction treatment. At Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery, addiction recovery starts with a call to our team. Let us help you with each stage of the process, including awareness, detox, and achieving sobriety. With programs such as aftercare and relapse prevention, it is possible to overcome these challenges with our comprehensive programs. Start now by calling 833.448.0127 or connecting with us online.
