When trying to help someone who is in active addiction, it’s essential to understand the stages of change. Having this knowledge can help you adequately gauge where a person is on their journey. If help is offered and found, will they really accept it? Once they do accept the help, will they give all they can to ensure that they never look back?
Addiction is a highly complex issue and it requires careful thought and preparation to deal with. So many matters are at the heart of the problem and ministry leaders may have a hard time coming to a conclusion of where a person is in their journey. Are they thinking of change? Or are they still in a stage where they are highly double minded?
Addiction is a spiritual matter, but it’s also a physical matter. Prolonged substance abuse changes the chemical makeup in the brain. Addicted people can heal the disruption in the brain’s chemical makeup, but this takes time. This begins with detox, followed by a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Genuine healing requires a minimum of 90 days in treatment. Let’s explore the stages of change during treatment in Christian recovery.
Precontemplation
“I’m not hurting anyone, so get off my back.”
“I’m fine. I can stop whenever I want.”
“If I ever get as bad as David Hasselhoff, then I’ll get
help.”
These are the kinds of statements loved ones hear from
addicted people. According to the School
of Social Work at Cleveland State University, denial is a significant
symptom of addiction. It’s the main reason most people don’t seek help when
they need it most.
During the pre-contemplation stage, the addicted person is often sensitive to the topic of their addiction. They have endless excuses and accuse their loved ones of “meddling” in their lives. The truth is that addicted people don’t see what they’re closest loved ones are seeing.
Precontemplation is the most difficult of the stages of change in Christian recovery for loved ones. It’s certainly confusing for addicted people. Admitting there’s a problem is often the hardest step in recovery. The Bible often talks about the need to admit our issues and our problems to others and to God. It’s important to do so and essentially, it’s the very first step.
A lot of addicted people in this stage have yet to suffer a negative consequence, or maybe they have just not percieved it themselves. Addiction generally has an adverse impact on one’s life. Negative consequences tend to nudge an addicted person into the next stage.
Contemplation
Stage two of the stages of change in Christian recovery
brings an awareness that a problem exists. But doing something about it seems
hopeless. In fact, the Apostle Paul related to these feelings in Romans
7:22-23. “I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within
me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is
still within me.”
Virginia
Tech explains, “In this stage, people are more aware of the personal
consequences of their bad habit and they spend time thinking about their
problem.” This is a good time to introduce the idea of treatment to an addicted
loved one.
In fact, says Virginia Tech, “people are more open to
receiving information about their bad habit, and more likely to actually use
educational interventions and reflect on their own feelings and thoughts
concerning their bad habit.”
This stage can last weeks, months, or years. Of all stages of change, this is an ideal time to perform an intervention. People in this stage are open to a strategy for change. The contemplation stage will hopefully end with a realistic decision to seek help outside of themselves.
Preparation
The preparation stage is important. Although some people are
tempted to give in to their anxiety and excitement about making a change, they
should take care to plan for it. After all, the individual is about to embark
on a significant lifestyle overhaul.
He or she needs to plan to be away for at least 90 days if
they’re going to an inpatient facility. When people return from treatment, they
need their support system of loved ones, as well as a safe place to live.
They need to reside in an environment that’s free of triggers and people who aren’t supportive of their recovery. Additionally, it’s important to explore a variety of recovery centers. Ministry leaders such as Chaplain Mike can help by having resources readily available.
When anxiety creeps in and tries to take over, ministry leaders can bring peace and remembrance of the word of God. They can share what God said in Luke 9:23. “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Christians are required to put aside the ways of the flesh to follow Jesus.
Also, it’s often helpful to share His words in Philippians 2:13. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Often times Christians who are struggling with addiction need to be reminded that Jesus did not stop working in them and that He will bring them all the way through these changes.
Action
Unsurprisingly, the stages of change include an action
stage. This is where the real work begins. It starts with a safe and
comfortable detox and is followed by a comprehensive treatment program.
Addiction resources for ministry leaders should include Christian recovery
support after treatment, as well.
In James 4:10, God says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up in honor.” This is where the addicted person must open
his heart and mind to the Lord, and earnestly progress through treatment.
“The Bible is all about the grace of change,” says Pastor Paul
Tripp. “It’s a story of new beginnings and fresh starts.” These stories
guide addicted people through the hardest parts of treatment. God says that if
people commit themselves to Him, He will bring them strength and peace.
During this stage, it’s crucial to develop an aftercare plan
for life in recovery. This should include a list of triggers and coping
mechanisms. According to Very
Well Mind, “This will allow you to effectively move on to the maintenance
stage, without experiencing the relapse stage.”
Maintenance
The maintenance stage is more of a continuation of the
action stage than a new stage. Every day must begin with a renewed conviction
to remain in Christian recovery. That begins and ends with Jesus Christ.
This commonly includes abstinence from drugs and alcohol. It
also includes creating a sober lifestyle with God as the foundation. It can
also comprise of making sober Christian friends. Establishing a sober lifestyle
means practicing healthy routines, taking responsibility for actions, and other
meaningful life skills.
Be mindful of triggers during particularly stressful events
in early addiction recovery. “People can become complacent at this point, and
they may begin to think that a small lapse will make no real difference,” says
Very Well Mind.
This is the time for them to practice letting God guide their choices. In other words, they should make intentional decisions. Smart Recovery explains, “Change never ends with action. Without a strong commitment to maintenance, there will surely be a relapse, usually to pre-contemplation or contemplation stage.”
Chaplain Mike understands these five stages of change because he’s been there himself. He believes that it’s important to work with addicted people according to what stage they’re at. He offers a variety of addiction resources for family and ministry leaders. Reach out for guidance today by calling (877)781-9685.