What Are the 6 Stages of Addiction Recovery?

Experts acknowledge addiction’s multifaceted nature, encompassing physiological, psychological, and social components. A strong support system, adherence to an after-care plan, a recovery-friendly environment, and seeking help during stress reduce the risk of relapse. The chronic nature of addiction means that for some people relapse, or a return to drug use after an attempt to stop, can be part of the process, but newer treatments are designed to help with relapse prevention. Relapse rates for drug use are similar to rates for other chronic medical illnesses. If people stop following their medical treatment plan, they are likely to relapse.

Supporting Veterans Through Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services

We’ll also explore their effectiveness, the pros and cons you should consider, and how to make them work as part of a sober house treatment plan. As people move along the recovery path, they not only gain new skills, they also begin to view themselves differently. A shift toward a new positive identity occurs as they encounter themselves in a new light. Frequent intoxication and, more broadly, the addictive process often mean that people have violated their own values, morals, and standards. They feel intense remorse, guilt, and regret, and have a poor self-image.

Comprehensive Rehabilitative Services

Although his reasoning made sense, it was difficult for me to wrap my mind (never mind my heart) around the idea of having such profound gratitude for being an addict . When I was the clinical director of a hospital-based addiction treatment program in Rockland County, NY, for five years during the 1990s, I worked closely with the program’s medical director. He was a psychiatrist https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ who was in recovery for quite a few years through a twelve-step program, although he rarely made mention of it. At every step of the way, support from friends, peers, and family is useful, but there are also many services and organizations that provide guidance., and many can be accessed through Recovery Community centers. For all practical purposes with regard to drug use, the terms remission and recovery mean the same thing—a person regaining control of their life and reversing the disruptive effects of substance use on the brain and behavior. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) avoids the terms addiction and recovery.

Behavioral models

Thanks to AA and other substance recovery programs, you’ve probably at least heard of the Twelve Steps even if you aren’t quite sure how they work. The Twelve Steps, originated by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), is a spiritual foundation for personal recovery from the effects of alcoholism, both for the person using alcohol as well as their friends and family in Al-Anon Family Groups. Genetics plays an important role in conferring vulnerability to addiction. Genetic factors influence how substances are metabolized and experienced. Such biological differences can influence whether substance use continues and increases, remains “social” and occasional, or does not occur at all.

Evolving Views of Problematic Substance Use

• The important thing is to take a look back to notice where you fell and what caused the stumble.
• Lack of referral options and counseling resources because of behavioral health workforce shortages.
• Successful recovery is inspired by the hope that recovery is possible and faith that you will recover.
• SUDs can lead to significant problems in all aspects of a person’s life.
• An overdose happens when the person uses enough of a drug to produce uncomfortable feelings, life-threatening symptoms, or death.
• Introducing therapies that prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment, individuals are provided with the tools needed for genuine healing and sustainable recovery.

By engaging in continuous self-assessment, individuals can analyze their thoughts and actions, allowing them to uncover patterns that may lead to relapse. This reflective practice encourages a mindset focused on learning, helping individuals identify their strengths and areas for improvement, which are crucial for achieving long-term recovery goals. A comprehensive approach that focuses on healing trauma alongside substance use promotes improved mental health. Therapy methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are particularly beneficial, assisting individuals in managing their emotional pain. This fosters resilience, enabling clients to navigate life’s challenges without reverting to substance use. Ultimately, trauma-informed care not only aids in healing from substance use disorders but also fosters resilience and stability in overall mental health, highlighting its critical role in effective recovery strategies.

Rates of substance use, addiction, and related issues vary by age, gender, ethnicity, and other demographic classifications. “There are a lot of reasons for this,” explains HEAL-funded clinical psychologist Aaron Hogue, Ph.D., of the New York City-based Partnership to End Addiction. The brain adapts to continued drug use by developing a tolerance, which means it takes more of a drug to feel the same result. We do not receive any fee or commission dependent upon which treatment or provider a caller chooses. This is an open-access report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Public Domain License. You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Moreover, integrating various modalities into addiction recovery recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each person’s journey is shaped by a myriad of factors, including physiological, psychological, and social elements. Therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and mindfulness-based interventions offer diverse tools to address the multifaceted aspects of addiction. What is needed is any type of care or program that facilitates not merely a drug-free life but the pursuit of new goals and new relationships.

Other EDs screen patients and offer, as appropriate, brief interventions by clinicians and active linking or referrals to treatment. Chapter 3 provides guidance about trauma-informed care approaches that can help guide work with these clients. The following sections summarize some of the types of trauma that may affect clients. The key to understanding SUDs and many other medical puzzles will likely be not one gene but many, each of which makes a small contribution to the relative risk of developing a condition, or the ability to resist developing it. The advent of “big data”—genomic databases that also include detailed information on the owners of the DNA—has enabled genome-wide association studies (GWAS)107 that attempt to make these complex connections.

What are the stages of addiction recovery?

The research also found that these 12-step approaches were superior to other methods for maintaining continuous abstinence and reducing remission rates. Believing in this higher power may help someone find meaning in their life outside of addiction. For instance, they may find a greater sense of community by joining a spiritual or religious group.