In 1983 , alcoholism researchers Carlo C. DiClemente and J. O. Prochaska introduced a ve-stage model of change to help counseling professionals understand their clients with addiction problems and motivate them to change. The model, which is widely used by addiction counselors, is based on the researchers' observations of how people went about modifying problem behaviors such as smoking, overeating and alcohol abuse. Noreen Ammons, clinical director at New Life, says the stages of change represent a growth process many treatment clients go through as they begin and progress in recovery. In the Pre-contemplation Stage , clients “may not actually want to change,” Ammons says. Addiction is a disease of denial, and not all treatment clients are there by their own choice; some have been court-ordered into treatment, or coerced by family members who want them to change. “Clients frequently don't think they have a substance abuse Treatment counselors strive to move clients into the Contemplation Stage , in which they consider how their alcohol or drug use is impacting their health, family and other relationships, nances or legal status. “Once they start to understand that something is going on, then you (the counselor) have an opportunity to talk about doing something about the problem,” says New Life counselor Dwayne Gould. In the Preparation Stage , the client is already starting to take some signi cant actions such as making small changes – maybe just joining a gym or going to mental health counseling with a therapist in the community. They may start attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings and making connections with the people there, Ammons says. When clients reach the Action Stage , they have made signi cant speci c modi cations to their lifestyle, and there is an observable process of behavior change happening, Ammons says. “I always know when clients have started going to 12 step meetings because they start using the lingo and start understanding what the educational groups are problem. They may think they have a ‘mom and dad problem’ because their parents are fed up with them, or a spouse or signi cant other problem – 'I'm here because my wife is tired of my drinking.’” CONTEMPLATING CHANGE
THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY
“FREQUENTLY, CLIENTS DON’T THINK THEY HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.” -Noreen Ammons, clinical director, New LIfe
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