Understanding the Stages of Change
Embracing the Process:
Understanding the Stages of Change Model and Resulting Clinical Applications that Aim to Intrinsically Motivate Change in the Substance User
Embracing the Process: Understanding the Stages of Change Model and Resulting Clinical Applications that Aim to Intrinsically Motivate Change in the Substance User
With a career in the drug and alcohol recovery profession, it is a realistic probability that a counselor will have a particularly diversified clientele population, consisting of individual clients, whom each have their own unique set of needs. Nevertheless, it is a reasonable expectation, as well as an ethical obligation, that recovery counselors have the capacity to handle this diverse caseload. It is common for a counselor to be working with several clients, all of whom may be at various stages of the change process, and doing so concurrently. A recovery counselor should always strive to implement the most advantageous interventions necessary to meet the unique treatment needs of each client. Therefore, it is not only helpful to be familiar with the stages of change and how they are applicable to substance abuse treatment, it is imperative for every recovery counselor to have a comprehensive understanding of the Stages of Change model and its relevant clinical applications and interventions. Generally speaking, it is not uncommon for helping professionals in the addiction recovery field to become frustrated with their work, feel overburdened, and even “burn out”. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of the stages of change model and its implications. As a recovery counselor, our major role is to assist clients in understanding their substance abuse and to help them make the changes necessary for recovery. It is important to recognize that there is no “cure” for addiction, recovery is a process, and that even when it seems as if intervention with a client was in vain, the process of change is occurring.
Understanding the Stages of Change Model and Resulting Clinical Applications that Aim to Intrinsically Motivate Change in the Substance User
Embracing the Process: Understanding the Stages of Change Model and Resulting Clinical Applications that Aim to Intrinsically Motivate Change in the Substance User
With a career in the drug and alcohol recovery profession, it is a realistic probability that a counselor will have a particularly diversified clientele population, consisting of individual clients, whom each have their own unique set of needs. Nevertheless, it is a reasonable expectation, as well as an ethical obligation, that recovery counselors have the capacity to handle this diverse caseload. It is common for a counselor to be working with several clients, all of whom may be at various stages of the change process, and doing so concurrently. A recovery counselor should always strive to implement the most advantageous interventions necessary to meet the unique treatment needs of each client. Therefore, it is not only helpful to be familiar with the stages of change and how they are applicable to substance abuse treatment, it is imperative for every recovery counselor to have a comprehensive understanding of the Stages of Change model and its relevant clinical applications and interventions. Generally speaking, it is not uncommon for helping professionals in the addiction recovery field to become frustrated with their work, feel overburdened, and even “burn out”. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of the stages of change model and its implications. As a recovery counselor, our major role is to assist clients in understanding their substance abuse and to help them make the changes necessary for recovery. It is important to recognize that there is no “cure” for addiction, recovery is a process, and that even when it seems as if intervention with a client was in vain, the process of change is occurring.
References: Connors, G. J., Donovan, D. M. & DiClemente, C. C. (2001). Substance Abuse Treatment and the Stages of Change Miller, W. R. (1993). What really drives change? Addiction, 88,1479-80. Miller, W. R. (1995). Motivational enhancement therapy with drug abusers. NIDA Publication, No Miller, W. R. & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: preparing people to change addictive behavior Miller, W. R., Zweben, A., DiClemente, C. C. & Rychtarik, R. G. (1994) Motivational Enhancement Therapy Manual: A clinical research guide for therapists treating individuals with alcohol abuse and dependence Prochaska J.O., DiClemente C.C., Norcross J.C. (1992). In search of how people change. American Psychology, 47, 1102-1104.