Making it through the bad days

There are several stages involved in the change process. These include pre-contemplation, contemplation, determination, action, maintenance, and termination. A person is considered in the pre-contemplation stage if they have no desire to make a change or do not recognize the need for change. If they reach a stage of contemplation, then they may begin to recognize they have a problem and want to make a change even if they have no idea of how to get started. This is different than the promises made just to get you off their back that you may hear during pre-contemplation. This is the type of desire that can last from a few weeks to many months and leads to regret when failure occurs. This regret can lead to a determination that can last a few hours or a few months. During this time the individual may begin to develop a plan to move in the right direction. Then the movement starts and change can be seen by others through a series of planned steps or in a moment’s time. However, this does not mean the work is over. Strategies must be developed to assist the person to avoid returning to a previous state. Without a strategy, the individual is most likely going to succumb to the stress of reintegration. My goal is to help you succeed to the point of no longer having a desire to return to your substance use disorder (SUD).

Stressful internal and external demands can cause imbalances in a person’s psychological functioning that require evaluation of the threat and strategies to restore a satisfying coping behavior. It is through this coping mechanism that a holistic balance can be found. A person can then reach a point of no unauthorized use of mind-altering substances and the dynamics of recovery can be obtained. Relapse does not always mean failure. A person who succumbs to a desire once and then returns to no use or a person who can use and not have negative consequences may still consider themselves to be successful. My recovery is marked by times of having access and making the choice to walk away, At this point the cravings that I sometimes have no longer trigger a relapse. This is because I have found ways to cope with negative feelings, interpersonal conflicts, and stressful events that used to lead to relapses.