Although healing from mental disorders, drug abuse, gambling, or sex addiction can be an emotional and unpredictable process for many, addiction specialists worldwide, have witnessed a trend in subjects that eventually see permanent change. It takes an abundance of strength, courage, and perseverance to go through rehab, and the decision to lead a life free from mental disorders & problems, drug addiction, gambling addiction, or even sex addiction is only one step.
For many addicts, even getting to that step is arduous. The stages of common psychological disorder recovery have gained acceptance as therapists have discovered that each stage demands different strategies to treat the subject effectively.
Although there are five proper stages:
1. Pre-Contemplation
2. Contemplation
3. Preparation
4. Action
5. Maintenance
You can further separate these five stages into “early,” “middle,” and “late” stages.
As far as the functioning of rehabilitation centers is concerned, a subject in the Contemplation stage will also be considered in the “early” phase of recovery. In this stage, a therapist of Living Recovery Interventions focuses on immediate concerns (controlling cravings, abstaining, preventing relapse).
The later stages of the recovery process remain more concentrated on rebuilding relationships. By identifying where the subject is on their journey to sobriety, a therapist can understand how to assist them in rebuilding their lives in an orderly fashion.
The Healing and Recovery Process Differs from Person to Person
By all means, the journey to being addiction-free is not the same for all subjects. Some may make progress within the initial days of the first stage, while some may even have to initiate over multiple times. Nobody is perfect; the integral part of the recovery process is the eternal urge to change. While the recovery rate varies from person to person, it demonstrates that progress from these stages does not come from the therapist but from the patient’s ability.
We have elaborated on the five stages that we follow to attain mental problems recovery within our subjects. Read on to know the stages better.
Pre-Contemplation Stage
Typically, it is often found that subjects in the pre-contemplation stage often don’t admit that they have an issue. When suffering from mental conditions, subjects usually undergo changes due to pressure from their spouse, family, employer, or the police. In this stage, most addicts escape conversations about addiction in fear that their family or others may try to change them.
We have found that when we stage an “intervention” at this point, it’s probably met with absolute denial. Subjects in the pre-contemplation stage usually believe that their addiction results from diverse factors, such as their job, personal life, or genetic composition. In many cases, subjects consider their Pre-Contemplation stage as the most hopeless period of their life because they are in self-denial mode that they have some mental or psychological issues.
Contemplation Stage
Even if a subject is struggling to know the root cause of their addiction or psychological disorders and how to recover, just speculating about potential courses of action to opt for is a gigantic step forward. When seeking addiction recovery services or mental disorders recovery services, some subjects remain in the Contemplation stage even for months.
While the addiction or mental disorder may continue during this phase, contemplators state enjoying their vices less and report being more tempted to have sex and gambling. The grown addiction reinforces their feelings of hopelessness. The grown addiction reinforces their feelings of hopelessness. Still, we help them uplift feelings of potential for change that often help subjects combat their beliefs.
Once addicts shift more into imagining a future free from their life-destroying addictions instead of lingering on their past, at this stage, they will be ready to jump onto the next phase of recovery. While nearing the termination of this stage, our subjects often say that they no longer feel “worthless.” Instead, hopelessness gets replaced by simultaneous excitement and a pinch of anxiety as well.
Preparation Stage
Subjects in the preparation stage get fueled by excitement and formulate solid recovery plans, either by taking a pledge of abstinence or admittance to an addiction recovery center to seek addiction treatment. Addicts or patients preparing for a life free from addictions or mental conditions have more than just a vague notion of how they want to get better. Even selecting a day, a week, month, or a year to focus on healing can help sufferers put themselves into the Action stage.
An addiction treatment center like ours guides and treats patients on how to control their drug, gambling, sex addictions for good. Occasionally, sufferers report having to conquer emotions of ambivalence before getting onto the action stage. However, once we set their plan of action on a committed timeline, they often move on without an issue.
Action Stage
In this recovery stage, sufferers are involved in the bulk of what they would consider being “recovery.” Briefly, we try to influence either their behavior or their surroundings to enact change. We prepare and recover addicts to build their sense of accomplishment and achievement by enacting the change. In this stage, we require the efforts and complete support of the sufferer as this is the most crucial recovery stage since it will be the bedrock for their permanent recovery and a life free from destructive addictions.
When it comes to common psychological disorder recovery or addiction recovery, subjects often face criticism that they aren’t literally changing in the first three stages of recovery as no visible changes can be seen in them. While without these three stages, one can’t get onto this stage as those stages are the foundation. At this stage, sufferers report feelings of gratification and self-worth that their efforts were worthwhile.
Maintenance Stage
The last stage is immense as it encompasses the whole of the “late” recovery phase. While some physical actions can be taken to eschew falling in anxiety, depression, grief, or old habit, proper maintenance is on using your newfound sobriety to explore the root of your psychological disorder or addiction. This way, disorders or addictions like gambling, alcohol abuse, or addiction to sex would have a less chance of manifesting.
To Wrap Up
Once done with the action phase, subjects tend to move back to their everyday surroundings. Sometimes, they can see their world afresh and push themselves to better themselves with each passing day. But sadly, many face relapse when exposed to an environment that is reminiscent of their improper past. Sometimes, even thinking about the past or seeing someone who triggers your psychological disorders or urges your cravings can lead the subject back to stage one.
Rehab treatment centers, like Living Recovery Interventions, will dive into further detail regarding all recovery stages and help guide overcoming psychological disorders and recovering addicts to a sober life. Our common psychological disorders recovery programs offer outpatient services, including individual, group, and family therapies for long-term happiness and satisfaction.