Drug addiction is a serious condition that affects millions of people. It can be very difficult for the addict to overcome this issue, and it can be even more challenging and overwhelming for the family and friends witnessing the struggle. If you know anyone that is struggling with addiction, you may feel that you will want to do everything in your power to support them.
However, you must remember that you may not know as much as you think about this subject. There is a cycle of different stages that you must understand if you want to be a part of someone’s rehabilitation process. In this article, we will discuss the must-know stages of addiction recovery if you are helping someone recover. This will increase your understanding of addiction and your ability to support someone through their journey.
Denial
Most individuals that suffer from addiction often do not recognize the symptoms of this. They may be in denial for themselves and their loved ones. Join the denial stage, individuals may undergo certain behaviors, and there will be many signs that you can watch out for; however, this is also when individuals attempt to hide their addiction from those they love. It is impossible for someone to change during this stage because they do not recognize that they have the problem. If you notice a loved one is displaying certain signs but tell you they may have an addiction, such as constant lack of money, poor appearance or mood swings, and distress, it may be time to sit down with them and discuss the issues.
Precontemplation Stage
Join the precontemplation stage; individuals are now aware that they suffer from addiction. However, they are not ready to make the changes themselves. The change will always come from the individual, and it is fundamental that the person is ready to make the first step towards the cycle of change. Addicts may not have accepted that they have a problem; however they are not ready to give up their addiction yet. The best thing to do in this case is to sit down with the addicts and demonstrate how dare addiction is impacting on every aspect of their life.
Contemplation Stage
When your loved one accepts their addiction and realizes the effect this is having on them, they begin to enter the contemplation stage. At this point, individuals think about what they can do towards change, and their motivation increases to take the first step. It can be very difficult as a family member or friend to want to take over and be excited for your loved one and want to be there as much as possible for them; however, you must give them enough space so they know that they can do this themselves and that the change is coming from them, not from you.
Preparation Stage
It can be extremely overwhelming and emotional for an addict to realize that his addiction is having negative effects on him as well as his loved ones. However, this realization is what makes them ready to make the change in their behavior. During the preparation, stage addicts begin to wonder what treatment and support are available in the community for them. This is a good time to stop visiting rehabilitation centers, your doctor and find any individuals around this community that can support your loved one and yourself.
Action Stage
During this stage, it’s time to make a change. Your loved one has gone through all the necessary stages and has now decided that they need to change and that they want this to happen. The usual step in this stage is entering rehab or not the form of treatment. It can be very difficult for individuals to overcome any type of addiction when doing it on their own, even if they have the support of their families and friends. Seeking the support of professionals who know what they’re doing is a smart move, and he can increase the chances of your loved one securing and maintaining abstinence.
Long-Term Recovery
You must remember that recovering from addiction is a long-life process. Your loved one may have successfully gone to rehab and no longer suffer from their addiction. However, once in the community, they will have to face a range of different factors that may trigger them and cause a relapse. Remember, this is part of the process, and there are always relapses within the cycle of change. Continue to support and motivate your loved ones through this, and they will certainly succeed in their journey.
Before you help someone overcome their addiction, make sure to understand the different stages discussed on this page. This will improve your ability to help an addict recover and improve their chances of a successful outcome such as complete abstinence.
