The five stages of rehab can also be called the five stages of addiction recovery. These stages follow the steps along the journey a person takes to achieve recovery from addiction. That said, the stages of addiction recovery do not always go in a straight line for every person, and some may even be in more than one stage at the same time. With that in mind, here are those five stages of addiction recovery in detail:
 
1. Precontemplation: Individuals in the pre-contemplation stage of addiction recovery are not yet ready to enter an addiction rehabilitation program, as this stage is characterized by defensiveness and constant justification of one’s addictive behavior. Individuals in this stage lack clear insight into the negative impact of their substance use and rather focus on the positive effects of their substance of choice. Some people may remain stuck in this stage if they lack information about addiction or if they have experienced disappointment with failed attempts at recovery in the past.

2. Contemplation stage: During the contemplation stage, individuals are contemplating the choice to pursue rehab and recovery in the future but are not quite ready to make that choice. As such, this stage is differentiated from the pre-contemplation stage because the individual is more open to the possibility that their addiction is having negative impacts on their life, even if they are still acutely aware of the benefits the substance holds for them.

3. Preparation stage: When an individual enters the preparation stage, they are gathering a sense of urgency with regard to their decision to pursue recovery. As such, they’ve likely made some small steps toward taking action for recovery, such as making plans to exercise more, seeking therapy, or trying to quit their substance on their own. It’s common for individuals in this stage to go several days without using their substance before returning to the contemplation or pre-contemplation stages as difficulties arise.

4. Action stage: With the action stage, individuals have made notable changes and have committed themselves to change. As such, the action stage is characterized by extended abstinence periods and inclinations to seek professional help before and after experiencing a relapse. The changes individuals make during the action stage will be noticeable throughout their lifestyle, as their self-care and self-understanding increase.

5. Maintenance stage: Individuals in the maintenance stage work hard to prevent returning to contemplation or pre-contemplation stage, doing maintenance to ensure they remain in sobriety. Such maintenance may include regular exercise, recreational activity, getting enough sleep, and regularly attending support groups. In this stage, individuals feel a diminished urge to relapse and feel confident in their ability to maintain their sobriety. This stage may last anywhere from six months to five years or more.

After you complete rehab, you will return to normal life, including work, family, friends, hobbies, and things that may trigger certain cravings and temptations. As such, it’s important to surround yourself with family, friends, and activities that support your commitment to sobriety rather than compromise it. Some things you may need to do to ensure you continue in sobriety include:
 
– Finding sober friends
– Evaluating your neighborhood and moving if necessary
– Staying consistent with follow-up appointments
– Prioritizing your mental health
– Finding a support group
– Finding ways to help others
– Staying alert for signs of relapse

You should make a commitment to recovery every day. However, this may not always look the same, as some days will be easier than others, while other days may test your resolve to sobriety.

Relapse is common, as approximately 50% of individuals relapse within the first 12 weeks of completing rehab. However, it’s important to note that relapse is not a sign of failure. Rather, relapse is an opportunity for you to recommit yourself to sobriety and remember the reasons why you sought recovery in the first place. Sobriety is always within reach.
 
If you’d like more information about our outpatient rehabilitation services at Psychiatry Unplugged, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome you to call us, or you can schedule a consultation with one of our addiction specialists through our website. Our clinic is located at 121 W Lexington Dr #414, Suite A Glendale, CA 91203. We serve patients from Glendale CA, Hollywood CA, Burbank CA, Studio City, Pasadena CA, and Calabasas CA.