Combination of Psychology and Human Services

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Combination of Psychology and Human Services
The Transtheoretical Model in Drug Addiction Treatment
Overview
The Transtheoretical model or stage of change is a therapy theory that evaluates a person’s readiness to sustain new healthier traits. It is composed of six stages, which include pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination. The model can be utilized in a wide range of other psychological areas that persons want to change, but experience challenge of doing so (Connors et al. 21). The model is renowned for its achievement in managing people suffering from drug addiction. More than 21.5 million people in the US aged above 12 years were addicted to substance use in 2014. Approximately 80 percent of these people were suffering from alcohol addiction (DiClemente 11). It has been adopted as an alternative to pathological and confrontational approaches because it encourages person-centered and motivational strategies.
Pre-contemplation
Pre-contemplation is the first level of the behavior change or addiction change. When addicts are at this stage, they often do not think their behavior to be a concern. The behavior is informed by the fact that they have not yet undergone any adverse effects on their behavior (Bettmann, Russell and Parry 33). Additionally, most of them are in denial concerning the severity or negativity of the impacts they have encountered. Furthermore, drug addicts in the pre-contemplation stage are usually not very concerned about the advice provided on the importance of quitting the behavior or listen to the harmful effects of addiction (Connors et al.

21). Nonetheless, negative effects finally affect individual involved in addictive behavior, which forces the addicts into the contemplation stage
Contemplation stage
The term contemplation refers to the ability to think about or consider an issue deeply. Therefore, it relates to the level at which the individual participating in the addictive traits starts to consider quitting, moderating, cutting down or changing the addictive behavior. In this regard, the individuals are more willing to listen or acquire information regarding the potential negative impacts of their addictive performance (DiClemente 13). Moreover, they may be eager to learn about various approaches for quitting or controlling the addictive behavior without promising a particular strategy or even committing to change. Substance addicts may remain at this stage for an extended period (Velasquez et al. 70). However, they may progress to the next stage, the preparation phase, or they may reverse to the pre-contemplation stage. More importantly, contemplators often benefit from motivational and non-disapproving or information-providing approaches that inspire change instead of a confrontational method (Bettmann, Russell and Parry 33). Significantly, the phase closes with a conclusion to transformation the addictive conduct.
Preparation Stage
The preparation stage of the Transtheoretical model indicates that an individual has progressed forward towards preparing and planning for implementing change they envisioned. With drug addictions, thought-out and comprehensive preparation can be essential to success (Prochaska 54). Some of the activities or things an individual can decide, act, or plan in the course of preparation phase include the types of changes to be effected. They may also make a decision to reduce the number of drugs taken, minimize harm, quit entirely or minimize damage. For instance, if an individual intends to reduce or quit smoking, he makes a decision to cut down the number of cigarettes (Connors et al. 25).
Furthermore, the addicts must concentrate on ways of eliminating the triggers, which refers to the reminders of their addiction that may probably lead to cravings and may increase the ability to fight back to their addictive traits (Velasquez et al. 71). Triggers could consist of drug paraphernalia or reserves of drugs for a substances user. It may also include the bottles of alcohol and lighters and ashtrays for a smoker. Eradicating these reminders can be a challenging process for the drug addicts but moving through the process can strengthen their resolve to deal with the addiction at this stage (DiClemente 13). Therefore, it involves establishing support care, which can entail social support or informing family, and friends who are keen to allow the drug addicts overcome their addiction. They also begin to book a center for rehabilitation, treatment or detox. Furthermore, they begin to search for a support group.
They are also involved in informing their fellow addicts (other drinkers or drug users) of their intentions, requesting them to respect their procedure and to not participate in the behavior near them. Similarly, other preparations that require being made in certain circumstances should be initiated such as looking for a safe and clean place to begin a new life (Bettmann, Russell and Parry 33). In case they require assistance from a social worker or counselor, this is the right period to obtain it as he/she can assist the addict with other arrangements. It is vital to avoid rushing the preparation stage because different individuals require a diverse period. After the needed preparations have been made, an individual is usually ready to pass onto the action phase (Prochaska 57).
Action Stage
The action phase is the main center of attention for the majority of people struggling to overcome substance addiction (DiClemente 15). At this stage, real change in terms of behavior change begins to occur. In most cases, the action stage is often traumatic, but with appropriate preparations, it can also be a thrilling moment that generates new options. The phase begins with a treatment or detox center where the trained experts are available to care for the substance addicts through the initial phases of stopping an addiction (Connors et al. 29). Additionally, for some people especially those who encompass controlling or moderating behavior instead of quitting entirely, it may be comparable to the healthy life although there are a greater need and higher restraint for supportive care and other strategies of managing stress (Prochaska 59).
Based on the set objectives in the contemplation phase, and the strategies prepared in the preparation phase, the action stage can take place in minor, gradual or steady steps. Moreover, it can be a whole change in life. However, it is quite rare to continue smoothly in phases (Bettmann, Russell and Parry 40). The process takes a lot of time for an addict to adapt to life without drugs even when new life and support are excellent. Developing and identifying an effective means of coping with stress are critical during the action phase, which facilitates transformation to maintenance phase without suffering relapse (Prochaska 63).
Maintenance stage
The maintenance phase deals with continuing to accomplish the progress that started in the action phase (Velasquez et al. 75). It also means preserving the intentions made in the preparation stage and traits initiated in the action phase. More importantly, it refers to staying away from drugs and continuing to a minimal level of addictive characteristics (DiClemente 19). It is the most difficult phase after a specific duration. In most cases, individuals become contented, as they tend to believe that a minor lapse will not make a significant difference. Peoples are also affected by stress hence the need to adopt different coping strategies. Relapse is common at this point (Bettmann, Russell and Parry 44).
Termination stage
The termination phase is the last phase where the drug addicts have no temptations. Additionally, they are sure that they will not relapse to unhealthy behavior or habits as a strategy of coping. Some individuals are able to adapt to controlled addictive patterns, drug use or drinking without returning to addiction. Similarly, others are able to achieve abstinence as addiction control mechanism (Connors et al. 43). On the contrary, if termination is not attained, return to unhealthy behavior may occur. According to National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), between 80-85 percent of people in rehab centers relapse within the year after medical intervention. Alcohol abuse relapse is nearly 90 percent. Therefore, only 15 percent of people who move through the process achieve the termination phase (DiClemente 25).

Work cited
Bettmann, Joanna E., Keith C. Russell, and Kimber J. Parry. “How substance abuse recovery skills, readiness to change and symptom reduction impact change processes in wilderness therapy participants.” Journal of Child and Family Studies 22.8 (2013): 1039-1050.
Connors, Gerard J., et al. Substance abuse treatment and the stages of change: Selecting and planning interventions. Guilford Press, 2013.
DiClemente, Carlo C. Addiction, and change: How addictions develop and addicted people recover. Guilford Publications, 2017.
Prochaska, James O. “Transtheoretical model of behavior change.” Encyclopedia of behavioral medicine. Springer New York, 2013. 1997-2000.
Velasquez, Mary Marden, et al. Group treatment for substance abuse: A stages-of-change therapy manual. Guilford Publications, 2015.