Do you ever wonder how addiction recovery works?
Addiction recovery takes time. Patients don’t just wake up one day and decide to turn their lives around. There are several stages that everyone goes through when recovering.
And…
Knowing the stages can really help. If you’re struggling with addiction, or even if a loved one is, knowing what to expect can help manage expectations.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Why Addiction Recovery Occurs In Stages
- The 5 Stages Of Addiction Recovery
- What Occurs During Each Stage
- How To Ensure Long-Term Recovery
Why Addiction Recovery Occurs In Stages
Addiction is a disease of the brain. More specifically…
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a chronic disease that affects the reward, motivation, and memory functions of the brain.
Addiction is powerful. Because of how it hijacks the brain, recovery doesn’t happen overnight.
The issue is that many people expect quick fixes.
They go into treatment thinking that once they pay the fee and enter rehab, the difficult part is over. But studies show that recovery is incremental and takes time.
The bright side is that good addiction recovery centers know this. An excellent treatment facility like Novara Recovery Center will walk patients through every stage of recovery using science-backed methods.
Think about how many people this affects…
According to recent national survey data, in 2024 almost 1 in 2 Americans (48.4 million) aged 12 or older suffered from a substance use disorder. That is millions of individuals and families that addiction has impacted every year.
Recovery occurs in stages because people don’t always enter treatment ready to change. Some people struggle to even recognize that they have a problem.
Addiction recovery centers help by guiding people through each stage at a pace they can handle.
The 5 Stages Of Addiction Recovery
Psychology researchers James Prochaska, Carlo DiClemente, and John Norcross first introduced the stages of change model in the 1980s. It was originally developed to treat smokers but later became standard in addiction recovery as well.
Here are the five stages:
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
Remember that not everyone progresses through these stages linearly. Relapse and movement between stages is normal.
Let’s take a closer look at what happens during each stage.
What Occurs During Each Stage
Stage 1: Precontemplation
Denial is real in addiction. During this stage, individuals don’t think they have a problem. Or they don’t think it’s bad enough to require treatment.
Patients in this stage may:
- Make excuses for their behavior
- Look for ways that drug/alcohol use has helped them
- Push loved ones away that try to talk to them about their substance use
Forcing someone who is in this stage to get help will only lead to resistance. Attempting to educate them about the impacts of addiction is better.
Stage 2: Contemplation
Something has clicked for the person in this stage. They are starting to realize that they may have a problem.
Patients start looking at the pros and cons of seeking help. They want recovery but are afraid of the change that comes with it.
Stage 2 can last a few weeks. It can also last a couple of years. Progress during this stage comes when the patient realizes that their addiction is worse than sobriety.
Friends and family can help at this stage by expressing their concerns. Letting them know that treatment is an option is also helpful.
Stage 3: Preparation
It’s go-time. The person is ready to take action and gets ready by learning about treatment options and what they need to do to get better.
Keep in mind that this is the point many addicts will slip back into old habits.
Trigger events and emotional turmoil can easily sway someone who hasn’t fully committed to change. Planning for how to change ensures they will move forward.
Stage 4: Action
This stage is where the work begins. For some, it means going to detox or rehab for the first time.
Things they’ll need to focus on during this stage:
- Lean on their support network
- Work with trained addiction counselors
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms to take the place of drug-seeking behavior
- Stick to the plan that got them to recovery
Notice that detoxing doesn’t happen in isolation. Recovery requires patients to seek counseling to change behaviors.
Depending on the substance, this stage could take a few months.
Many recovering addicts will benefit from individual counseling and group therapy. Connecting with others going through similar challenges creates camaraderie and accountability.
Stage 5: Maintenance
Addiction recovery really is a lifelong journey.
During this stage, patients learn how to maintain the changes they made during treatment. It includes avoiding relapse triggers, attending therapy, and developing healthy routines.
Essentially this stage never ends. Recovering addicts must embrace recovery as part of their new life.
Research shows that continuous recovery for 5 years results in a relapse rate of around 15%. For comparison, the general population has a “chemically related relapse” of about 10-20%.
But the first years are the hardest.
Rates for most substance use disorders range from 40%-60% according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. That is similar to the rates of relapse for many other chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
Addiction relapse does not mean failure. The individual likely needs to readjust their treatment strategy and reconnect with supportive friends and family.
How To Support Long-Term Recovery
Someone doesn’t just leave treatment and everything is fine. Supporting their recovery doesn’t end when they walk out the door
Tips for supporting recovery:
- Continue with therapy – regular check-ins with a counselor can help work through issues
- Attend support group meetings – 12 step programs and other group meetings are helpful
- Develop healthy routines – exercise, sleep, and diet play a big role in healing the brain
- Avoid triggers – know what causes addictive behavior and stay away from those triggers if possible
- Include family in recovery – loved ones can create a supportive environment
Many treatment centers provide an aftercare program. This will connect individuals to resources after they complete treatment.
Wrapping Up
Addiction recovery happens in stages.
When you understand the five stages of recovery, you’ll have realistic expectations and won’t get frustrated if recovery seems to take a long time.
The stages include:
- Precontemplation
- Contemplation
- Preparation
- Action
- Maintenance
Every stage is important and requires different types of support. What works at one stage may not work in another, and that is okay.
There are millions of examples of people who have gone through these stages and have successfully recovered from addiction.
With professional help, encouragement from loved ones, and patience…
You or your loved one can recover from addiction.
