Substance Use Stages of Change
Substance Use Stages of Change
Substance Use Stages of Change
Determination/preparation
Those in this stage are ripe for change in their behaviour. They believe that the costs clearly outweigh the benefits. They know that change is necessary and that the time for change is imminent. However, some people do not progress to the next stage.
Action
People in this stage have resolved to change and have committed themselves to that process. They have embarked on a road to change their drug use.
Maintenance
People in this stage have successfully abandoned their drug behaviour and have sustained the change for a sufficient period to state that they not longer have problems with drug use. This stage generally occurs at least six months after the behaviour has changed. It is believed that people are maintainers for up to five years, whereupon they become emotionally and physically detached from the old behaviour. In exceptional cases people seem able to distance themselves from their drug use much more quickly.
Preparation
Action
Relapse
This is a process that can occur during the action and maintenance stages. Many people who change their behaviour resume drug use or return to old patterns of behaviour. People who have relapsed may have consciously changed their minds or simply slipped back into old habits. They generally revert to one of the previous stages. It is also important to distinguish a lapse (a one-off or short term return to use) from a relapse. Source: Turning Point/NCETA Training Program 1997 Participants Workbook, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, Victoria.
Relapse
Contemplation
Contemplators are people who feel two ways about their behaviour. On the one hand it is an enjoyable, exciting and pleasurable activity. But, on the other hand, they are starting to experience some adverse consequences. These may be personal, psychological, legal, medical, social or family problems. They are ambivalent about their drug use. It is good because of the benefits, but they are also worried by the increasing costs.
Maintenance
Cycle of Change
It is important to note that people can move back and forward through these stages Slips or relapses occur when people who have moved into the action stage change their minds and slip back into their previous drug use Relapses are common when people are trying to give up drugs Relapses have traditionally been viewed as failures and time to start over again A better way to view a relapse is as a learning opportunity a way for people to see what part of their strategy or plan to give up drugs is not working or needs improvement When people relapse they go back to one of the earlier stages of the model.
Useful references
Mental Illness Fellowship of Australia www.mifa.org.au Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria www.mifellowship.org Mental Health Services Website (Vic) www.health.vic.gov.au/mentalhealth National Alliance of the Mentally Ill (NAMI) (USA) www.nami.org Mental Health Council of Australia www.mhca.com.au Relapse SANE Australia www.sane.org Precontemplation Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au Australian Drug Foundation www.adf.org.au Family Drug and Alcohol Helpline 1300 660 068 Action Contemplation
MIFV2008/07-30
Maintenance
Preparation
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Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria 03 8486 4200 www.mifellowship.org Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc 02 9879 2600 www.sfnsw.org.au Mental Illness Fellowship of the ACT Inc 02 6205 2021 www.mifact.org.au
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