5 Stages of Addiction Recovery

As cliche as it sounds, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The road to addiction recovery is fraught with problems and difficulties. However, with love, help, and support, one can overcome all challenges and live a happy and fulfilling life. If you or any of your loved ones are dealing with drug or alcohol addiction, it is important for you to be aware of the five stages of addiction recovery.

Stage 1 – Precontemplation

In the precontemplation stage, you are yet to come to terms with the fact that you have an addiction problem. You’re likely to justify and rationalize your addiction. You may also try to convince your family members that there is nothing wrong with your behavior. While occasionally you may have thoughts that something is indeed wrong, the acceptance of the fact that you need treatment is missing.

Stage 2 – Contemplation

In this stage, the effects of addiction become more obvious. You start noticing the fact that your life is going downhill. From relationships to career, the addiction starts taking a severe negative toll on all aspects of your life. While you start accepting the fact that you need to make changes, you’re unable to give up the substances that you’re addicted to. So, even though you understand that you might need help, you aren’t willing to seek help immediately. A little help and guidance from your loved ones can make a huge difference when it comes to encouraging you to move to the next stage.

Stage 3 – Preparation

In the preparation stage, you’re willing to bring substantial changes in your life with immediate effect. You no longer want to let addiction ruin your life. In this stage, you may take a number of steps such as taking vows to abstain from drug or alcohol abuse. You’re also likely to formulate plans for the future and chalk out a strategy, based on your knowledge, to overcome your addiction.

Stage 4 – Action

During the action stage, you have started taking the treatment. You are actively attending programs and services that have put you on the path to recovery. This stage can be the most challenging as you might experience severe withdrawal symptoms. In this stage, the help and support provided by trained therapists can help you gain the confidence needed to overcome addiction. Therefore, attending the right drug and alcohol detox program, OH can make all the difference.

Stage 5 – Maintenance

Addiction treatment is a life-long process. Even after you’ve fully recovered from your addiction, there is always a possibility of a relapse. During the fifth stage, you return to your regular life where you may once again experience the temptation to consume alcohol and drugs. Therefore, it is vital that you seek help whenever needed and don’t allow temptations to get the better of you.

Alcohol or drug addiction can have a very negative impact on the life of a person. It can ruin personal relationships, destroy families, and play havoc with the physical and mental wellbeing of an individual. Call (513) 714-3400 for more information on drug & alcohol detox program, OH.