What is included in the "Stages of Change" model?

The "Stages of Change" model, often referred to as the Transtheoretical Model, identifies a series of stages that individuals generally progress through when changing a behavior, especially in the context of addiction recovery. This model emphasizes that change is not linear and acknowledges that individuals may cycle through different stages, which include pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and sometimes relapse.

In this model, each stage represents a different level of readiness to change, with pre-contemplation being the lack of awareness of a problem and maintenance signifying the ongoing effort to sustain a change. This cyclical nature reflects the reality that setbacks or relapses can occur, and individuals might move back and forth between these stages, rather than experiencing a direct, straightforward path to recovery.

This understanding is crucial for peer recovery coaches, as it allows them to tailor their support to where an individual is in their journey, recognizing that progress can involve revisiting earlier stages as part of the overarching process of change.