Author: New Day Recovery

Is TikTok the newest spot for the recovery community?

Written by New Day Recovery on September 3, 2021. Posted in Recovery Support.

The TikTok Community

By now, you definitely should know what TikTok is, or at least heard of it. TikTok is the newest social video creator and editor app that is most popular among Gen Z and Millennials. TikTok is home to millions of amateur videos, giving communities of all sorts a platform to create and connect with one another. The popular hashtag “#RecoveryTikTok,” in reference to those in the addiction recovery community, has grown since TikTok’s original release date. Now, #RecoveryTikTok has over 50 million views and hundreds of videos. Similarly, #RecoveryTok has over 100 million views.

Why It Matters

The stigma surrounding addiction is an apparent one: “You must be weak-minded” “They’re bad people” “You can stop when you want to.” Statements like these are commonly used among communities that are not familiar with substance abuse and mental health. Addiction is a disease; it can be treated with professional help, but nonetheless is still a disease. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) reported 19.7 million American ages 12 and older battled a substance use disorder in 2017. Almost 20 million people a year struggle with some type of substance use disorder and yet the prejudice on addicts still looms over the recovery community and those in active addiction.

So where do those struggling with addiction go to when they’re in need of a supportive community? Well, social media. From Facebook to Instagram, there are a lot of options for those in active addiction or the recovery community to post and engage with like-minded people or people with similar experiences. However, TikTok has worked its way up to be one of the main outlets for people due to its more personalized nature. TikToks allow users to post videos of photos, explanations and inspiration. In fact, a lot of #RecoveryTikTok users create content centered around what their lives looked like in active addiction versus in addiction recovery. These videos instill hope and motivation in those currently struggling and also allows others in recovery to connect and relate with people they don’t usually get the opportunity to.

When individuals feel as if they are alone or on their own in their addiction or path to recovery, co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression can develop. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “In a study of all non-traffic injury deaths associated with alcohol intoxication, over 20 percent were suicides.” This statistic is just a piece of the puzzle when it comes to correlation between mental health, addiction and suicide rates. Those struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders are at a higher risk of suicide and can succumb to negative thoughts and feelings easier without a support system or outlet.

How to Use TikTok to Represent the Recovery Community

If you’re unsure where to start as a new user on TikTok, follow these few tips to create content and engage with relative hashtags.

Don’t be afraid to show your journey. Posting photos or stories of yourself in active addiction can help both you and others compare experiences and act as a small support system. It may be uncomfortable at first to dig up photos of yourself in active addiction and put them on social media for the world to see, and that’s OK! Only post what is comfortable to you without triggering yourself.
Create engaging content. Majority of TikTok users spend about 11 minutes on TikTok at a time, several times throughout the day. When you create engaging content it stops a user from mindlessly scrolling and causes them to re-watch your video, like it or comment on it.
Follow other creators and hashtags. Supporting other community member’s content will result in them also supporting yours. The more support and engagement you get, the more your message will appear on people’s “for you page.”

New Day Recovery is a full continuum addiction treatment center with facilities across Northeast Ohio. New Day focuses on treating the whole individual rather than just the addiction. From medical detox and intensive inpatient program to social detox and residential programs, New Day has options for individuals in every stage of their recovery. If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, please call us at 330-953-3300 to see how we can help. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please immediately call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Alcoholism & Staying Sober on a Drinking Holiday

Written by New Day Recovery on July 2, 2021. Posted in Recovery Support.

The Facts on Alcoholism & How to Stay Sober on a National Drinking Holiday

It’s no secret that the Fourth of July is one of the biggest drinking holidays in the United States. Along with colorful, exploding fireworks, people bring out the booze to celebrate the anniversary of America’s freedom. In fact, the Fourth of July ranked as America’s #1 beer-drinking holiday, according to a 2016 study done by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and Fintech.

But what about those struggling with or recovering from addiction?

No matter what stage of recovery you’re in, there’s no doubt how frustrating it can be to be surrounded by people drinking heavily during a celebratory holiday. Let’s dive in a bit more on the facts about alcohol consumption and alcoholism.

What is a standard drink size?

Standard drink sizes are different depending on the type of alcohol being consumed. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the following are accurate for standard drink sizes:

Beer: 12 oz. with a 5% alcohol content

Wine: 5 oz. with a 12% alcohol content

Malt: 8 oz. with a 7% alcohol content

Liquor or distilled spirit: 1.5 oz. with 40% alcohol content

Are alcohol consumption limits different for men and women?

Everyone has their limits to alcohol consumption, but from a medical standpoint, men and women each have different consumption levels that their body can tolerate. Women are actually more likely to develop alcohol-related illnesses at lower consumption levels than men. The natural body structure of women is smaller and less tolerant than men, making it easier for men to handle higher levels of alcohol consumption. Women’s blood alcohol levels stay higher for longer, even after drinking the exact same amount as a man.

The difference in alcohol consumption between men and women is so great, that the difference between what is considered “heavy drinking” is seven drinks (men: 15 a week, women: 8 a week). According to the Cleveland Clinic, “alcohol takes around 60 to 90 minutes to reach peak levels in the blood” before the body begins to break it down. But just because your “peak” period is within the first hour or so doesn’t mean the alcohol is on its way out of your system anytime soon. In fact, it takes over 24 hours for alcohol to completely leave your system from the time of your last drink.

What is considered excessive drinking?

As previously mentioned, excessive drinking for men and women are different. Men who drink 15 or more drinks a week and women who drink 8 or more a week are considered excessive drinkers. In order to be considered drinking in moderation, women can consume one beverage or less per day, and men can drink two.

How do I know if I’m an alcoholic?

Just because you drink every weekend, doesn’t mean you’re an alcoholic. However, there are some signs you and your loved ones should be paying attention to when it comes to reliance or excessive drinking.

If you notice yourself or a loved one becoming reliant on alcohol to get them through the day, this could be a sign of alcoholism. Yes, it may feel like a stress reliever to enjoy an alcoholic beverage after a long day, but if you find yourself obsessing over that drink or feeling as if you absolutely need it, it may be time to seek help.

Another sign of alcoholism is sneaking alcoholic beverages or hiding your drinking from loved ones. If you feel like you are unable to limit the amount of alcohol you’re drinking, or make failed attempts to avoid drinking, these are signs you may be struggling with alcoholism.

Other alcoholism signs include limiting your social interaction or only being able to attend social events if you’re drinking, changes in your daily routine due to hangovers or alcohol effects and drinking alcohol at inappropriate times such as at work.

No one wants to be told they’re an alcoholic. But if any of the above applies to you or a loved one, it may be time to seek treatment or advice from a substance abuse professional.

I’m in recovery, how do I stay sober on the Fourth of July?

Staying sober is definitely a challenge for those with an alcohol addiction—especially during drinking holidays or large celebrations. Follow the below tips to still have a good time without consuming alcohol.

Surround yourself with people who understand your situation. If you celebrate with other people also in recovery from alcoholism, it will be easier to relate to each other and enjoy your time without involving alcohol at all. If you’re going to be around friends who are not in recovery, be sure to let them know you will be staying sober and enjoying nonalcoholic drinks instead. This way, you will not feel pressured when people offer you drinks or ask why you are not drinking.
Bring your own beverages. There are plenty of NA beers and wines to enjoy if you feel the need to still be sipping on something. Enjoy something refreshing while also avoiding alcohol content or feeling left out.
Prepare for temptation and know your limits. If you mentally prepare yourself for the inevitable temptation of having alcohol, the easier it will be to simply say “no thanks” and carry on. Knowing your limits of temptation or peer pressure is also important. If you feel that you’ve ended up in an uncomfortable situation, leave and enjoy the rest of your night at home enjoying some fireworks and snacks.

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At New Day Recovery, we work with you in whatever stage of life you’re in, and provide solutions to help you stay sober and refrain from using alcohol.

Surprising Data on Addiction in the Workplace

Written by New Day Recovery on May 3, 2021. Posted in Recovery Support.

Can people with an SUD still hold down full time jobs?

It is no secret that there is a stigma around people with substance use disorder (SUD), especially those struggling with addiction in the workplace. In fact, people who struggle with SUD themselves even fall victim to believing the stigma that addiction can be fixed without treatment. In a study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 2014, over 26% of people said they do not receive help for their addiction because they believe their SUD can be handled without treatment.

Surprisingly, most adults who struggle with substance abuse are employed full time, regardless of their addiction. However, there are thousands of companies that implement drug testing programs that may test pre-employment or during employment through randomized testing which can put someone with a SUD in jeopardy.

How does addiction affect employment?

A study conducted by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) found that “more than 70 percent of those abusing illicit drugs in America are employed, as are most binge drinkers.” So yes, it is possible for those struggling with SUD to find a job and keep employment while abusing drugs and/or alcohol. However, injuries in the workplace are common in those with a SUD, and even worse, fatalities can also occur if substances are brought into the workplace or used prior to a shift.

It is important to note that just because people can be high functioning at the workplace does not mean that they should forego treatment or assume they do not need help. So, what does it mean to be a high functioning alcoholic or addict? These people are able to perform everyday tasks despite their addiction, but may still face hangovers and many physical problems related to their SUD. High functioning addicts are more likely to be better at hiding the effects of their SUD, such as claiming a hangover headache is due to stress at work.

Mental health and the workplace

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans have reported having a mental illness, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Naturally, the majority of these people have held or currently hold a job position despite their mental illness. Yes, addiction is a mental illness; however, some people have co-occurring disorders such as an SUD paired with depression or anxiety. According to the CDC, “Depression interferes with a person’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduces cognitive performance about 35% of the time.”

Some employers offer employee assistance programs (EAP) such as counseling or intervention or bring a substance abuse professional (SAP) into the workplace to help those with SUDs. Either way, there are options for those struggling in the workplace to receive the help they need. Be sure to ask your employer about your options. If your employer does not offer any type of assistance, you can check out On Demand Occupational Medicine, located in the Mahoning Valley of Ohio, and work with your employer to implement these crucial services.

How does addiction affect family members in the workplace?

Addiction Center claims that “Over 26 percent of employed adults have substance abuse or addiction in their family. Over 42 percent of these employees felt their productivity suffer as a result.” Just because a family member isn’t suffering with an SUD themselves doesn’t mean their day-to-day activities aren’t affected. Those struggling with addiction in their families can become easily distracted at work due to at-home problems, leading to decreased productivity and unfortunate workplace accidents.

sex and addiction issues sex and addiction issues

3 Ways Addiction Affects Relationships

Written by New Day Recovery on March 3, 2021. Posted in Recovery Support.

Diving into how addiction affects relationships

Let’s face the facts: there’s a stigma around addiction, especially when it involves romantic relationships. Active addiction can take a toll on any relationship, romantic or not, and there are many ways addiction affects relationships. Some people enter relationships completely sober, but fall victim to addiction later on in life. Other people in active addiction enter relationships with partners who think they can “fix” them and take it upon themselves to lead their loved one to sobriety. So, how does addiction and recovery affect a romantic relationship? Let’s find out.

Financially

No matter what you’re addicted to, your addiction costs money. Someone in active addiction most likely has already figured out how much their drug of choice costs, where to get it and where to find money for it. However, those who become addicted while in a relationship will be figuring these things out at the expense of their partner. According to Addiction Center, “Vicodin® (the brand name version of acetaminophen/hydrocodone) costs about $126 for 100 pills (or $1.26 per tablet)…the same pill costs $5 on the street, or $500 for a bottle of 100.”

Other pills can cost anywhere from $2 to $20 on the streets. Heroin addicts, however, spend between about $22,000 to $91,000 a year while cocaine addicts spend an average of $90 a gram. Talk about an expensive addiction!

When someone begins their addiction in the midst of a serious relationship, addicts may resort to stealing money from joint bank accounts or even straight out of a partner’s wallet leading to mistrust and financial problems. Those in active addiction may feel like they’ve let their partner down and can’t provide for them due to the cost of their addiction.

Sexually

Not only do drugs affect libido and erections, but they also can lead to infidelity in a relationship. But first, how do drugs affect sex drive? Drugs affect sex drive by limiting male libido, erection, ejaculation and even fertility. Although not all drugs have an effect on sexual activities, some drugs do restrict blood flow to the penis or spinal reflexes.

Aside from physical detriments, addiction can lead to cheating on your partner. If you engage with others who are also using, you may feel more drawn to these people as if they understand what you’re going through, and turn to them when you need to fulfill your sexual desires rather than your non-using partner.

Other ways addiction can lead to infidelity is by altering your state of mind and performing acts you normally would not do if you were sober. For instance, sober you is aware that cheating on your partner is wrong, and is something you never want to do. But, when a substance such as alcohol is brought into the picture, your state-of-mind is altered and can lead you to cheating, and sometimes not even remembering your affairs the next day.

Emotionally

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that addiction takes an emotional toll on relationships. As discussed previously, financial and sexual issues lead to mistrust and hardship, leading to a greater emotional effect on both the addict and the partner. An addict’s partner may grow to resent them due to their addiction. Although some drugs can be administered for medical reasons, most addicts are using substances illegally, leading to criminal behavior. According to The Stigma of Addiction, “the nonuser may see his/her loved one as a criminal rather than an individual with a medical disorder who needs treatment.” In this case, love, sympathy and compassion may not be present in the relationship any longer, and thus begins the end of the relationship.

On the other hand, some partners choose to stay with their addicted partner and try to “fix” the problem themselves. (They can’t!) Addiction treatment should begin in an accredited facility dedicated to helping those struggling with substance abuse. When nonuser partners realize they can not fix the problem themselves, they may become depressed or irritated. Because addicts aren’t always able to explain why they are using or what is deeply troubling them, partners assume it is their fault and feel like they have failed. The emotional toll is now thrust upon both the user and nonuser.

Treatment & Solutions

There is no one “solution” to addiction. However, there are plenty of treatment options and routes to recovery. New Day Recovery has a complete, comprehensive medical system set-up to ensure our clients receive top-notch care and maintain a healthy lifestyle after inpatient treatment. New Day has two detox facilities located in Mahoning and Columbiana Counties, as well as two residential facilities— female residential in Mahoning County and male residential in Trumbull County.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, please call our admissions line at 330-953-3300 or visit us online.

woman sitting in the rain, depressed female woman sitting in the rain, depressed female

The Surprising Ways Addiction is Linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Written by New Day Recovery on January 4, 2021. Posted in Blog.

Seasonal Affective Disorder & Addiction: What’s the connection?

Addiction can affect anyone and everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, social and economic status or gender. But a mental illness that is not talked about enough is seasonal affective disorder, otherwise known as SAD. SAD and addiction often co-occur and can increase vulnerability in those who struggle with substance abuse.

What is SAD?

SAD is a form of depression where people are affected negatively by shorter, darker days due to seasonal changes. For example, summer days in Ohio are longer and warmer, while winter days end with the sun setting around 5 p.m. and the weather turning colder.

Who does SAD affect?

SAD can affect nearly anyone, but especially those who live in parts of the world where seasonal changes are more extreme. According to Help Guide, women and younger people are affected the most out of any other group of people.

What are the symptoms of SAD?

Fatigue and mild depression are very common in people experiencing SAD. Other symptoms can include:

Sleeping too little or too much
Change in appetite
Weight gain
Feeling hopeless or guilty
Depression
Stress and irritability
Decreased interest in usual activities

SAD and Addiction:

In a study conducted back in the 90s, cocaine use and seasonal changes were correlated in a 25-year-old patient. The patient experienced heightened cravings for cocaine due to mood changes caused by his circadian rhythm. So, what is a circadian rhythm? A circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock. Once established, your body will know when it’s time for bed versus time to wake up, and it will know when it’s time to eat. For instance, if you are someone who wakes up at 8 a.m. every day, eats lunch at noon and goes to sleep by 10 p.m., your body will get into the habit of adjusting to those patterns. Because of the established routine, extreme changes in weather or daylight will interrupt your body’s circadian rhythm and throw your body out of sorts thus causing addiction urges to spike.

When seasons change, people’s moods change as well, causing those with addiction issues to suffer greater consequences. Addicts may find they have less to do in the winter months, and begin using heavily indoors in the comfort of their own home, or even at a friend’s home. While this may not be the case for all substance users, it is highly likely the change in weather will affect someone’s drug or alcohol use.

Depression and addiction

Putting seasonal depression aside for a moment, it has been commonly known that a lot of addicts have a dual diagnosis; meaning that people who struggle with substance abuse also struggle with other mental illnesses such as anxiety or depression. According to Dual Diagnosis, substance abuse is common among people who are battling a depressive disorder.

With that being said, you can understand how SAD and substance abuse go hand-in-hand, given that SAD is a form of depression.

How can I avoid SAD?

It’s not easy to avoid SAD as it is your body’s go-to state when it is thrown off by seasonal changes. It’s also difficult for a doctor to diagnose patients with SAD, which is why it is important to ensure you are taking care of yourself year-round to help ease the symptoms of SAD. Read the below tips to help lessen the symptoms of SAD and improve self-care.

Get some exercise

Exercising has many benefits on your body and mind. If you have any built-up stress or tension, exercising can help release negative thoughts or feelings. If you do not have exercise equipment or belong to a gym, try taking a walk outside. The fresh air and natural light from the sun can also help to improve your mood, regardless of temperature.

Read a book

If you haven’t picked up reading, now is the time! SAD can make you feel disconnected from the world, and diving into a good book can help make you feel a part of something and pique your interest again. You may feel motivated by a story-line or connect with the characters in the book.

Journal

At times when it feels like no one is listening, journaling can be beneficial. Journaling helps you put your feelings together and write down whatever is bothering you. There are many forms of journaling such as guided journaling, bullet journaling, etc. Guided journals can be bought online through companies like Amazon and bullet journaling is as easy as writing short sentences of fragments in a notebook.

Pick up a hobby

If you’re someone who struggles with depression and addiction, finding a new hobby can be a little overwhelming, but it will benefit you in the long run. Colder weather can affect your usual outdoor activities or daily routine, so picking up a new hobby can help ease your boredom or anxiety levels. There are plenty of fun and engaging hobbies to dive into while staying indoors. If you’re crafty, try knitting or scrapbooking. If you’re not-so crafty, try learning a new language or cooking.

How New Day Recovery Can Help You

SAD and addiction do go hand-in-hand in those who struggle with substance abuse. New Day Recovery has centers in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties, allowing for easy-access and plenty of available beds for clients looking to detox or get residential treatment. Addiction treatment can be scary, but New Day Recovery makes the process easier and guides you every step of the way as one of your trusted, local detox centers.

Addiction treatment is important to increase not only your quality of life, but your loved ones’ as well. Simply give us a call at 330-953-3300 to get your assessment started or visit our website for more information.

Young man comforting sad woman Young man comforting sad woman

Drug Culture vs Recovery Culture

Written by New Day Recovery on December 15, 2020. Posted in Blog.

After going through a substance abuse treatment program for alcohol or drug abuse, the people you surround yourself with and circumstances you put yourself in can affect how well you break free from addiction and maintain sobriety after rehab. Unlike cultural groups based on a shared ethnicity or geographical origin, drug culture and recovery culture are part of both the society you live in and your individual choices regarding friends and social groups. Understanding the differences between drug culture and recovery culture helps you purposefully live a lifestyle that improves your chances of long-term success.

What Is Drug Culture?

Drug culture involves all the societal aspects surrounding alcohol and drug use. In the United States, drinking alcoholic beverages is ubiquitous, so advertising and entertainment often feature alcohol use as part of social interaction. Prescription drugs are often seen in ads, and recreational drug use is often featured in songs, movies and television programs as part of modern culture. One result of this constant bombardment from media is that Americans are more likely to try drugs than people from any other country, according to the World Health Organization.

Some subcultures also promote the use of drugs as an integral part of their particular scene, and different subcultures may focus on particular categories, such as hallucinogens, methamphetamines or cannabis. Different drug scenes might have specific rituals or social status indicators that people within the group use. Some may eschew specific drugs over others, such as groups that only use prescription drugs because they consider those safer than other types or people who use psychedelic drugs for spiritual enlightenment.

One common point in most drug cultures is that members of the group teach others how to recognize and achieve a high while also imparting tips on how to acquire drugs, prevent overdoses and avoid law enforcement. This advice may be inaccurate or incomplete, but the idea of being part of an in-group of active drug users in a culture that showcases the exciting side of risky behavior offers appeal to many people. In many cases, drug culture also offers young people a feeling of belonging that might be harder to find in mainstream society.

What Is Recovery Culture?

Recovery culture develops when individuals who are recovering from drug abuse or addiction and people who want to help improve the public discourse around substance use work together to form a culture that promotes healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol. Peer groups dedicated to recovery, such as post-rehab support groups and 12-step addiction meeting groups, let you surround yourself with like-minded people who understand the struggles involved with fighting addiction.

Recovery culture focuses not only on escaping addiction but on improving oneself and becoming healthier overall. Part of moving from drug culture to recovery culture involves replacing old behaviors and methods of socialization with new actions and activities that are healthier.

Recognizing the Differences Between Drug Culture and a Culture of Recovery

The biggest difference between drug culture and recovery culture is in the focus of the people around you. In a drug culture, people are focused on getting access to alcohol or illicit drugs, while in recovery culture, people are focused on staying healthy and sober. Drug and recovery cultures may each have their own shared language quirks and social patterns. Young adults who are immersed in drug culture may develop new slang and communication styles to indicate they are part of the in-group of drug users. Some things that might be noticeably different in drug culture and recovery culture include:

Language and Communication Styles

The language of drug culture is typically self-derogatory and negative, while recovery culture promotes positive language and uplifting oneself and others.

Attitudes Toward Social Norms

People involved in drug culture often flout social norms and talk frequently about how to evade law enforcement or get away with drug use. Recovery culture encourages accountability and helps members avoid risky behaviors.

Focal Points of Relationships

Relationships in drug culture tend to focus on shared experiences related to the use of alcohol or illegal drugs. Conversations between friends revolve around drug use. In recovery culture, friendships are multidimensional and conversations involve healthier topics.

Attitudes Toward Work or School

In a drug culture, the focus is typically on finding ways to avoid getting in trouble for drug use at work or school. Friends in this culture might recommend quitting work or school, or they may recommend taking specific jobs that reduce the risk of discovery or jobs involved in the drug trade. Recovery culture focuses on eschewing drugs, alcohol and other things that impact school and work performance and encourages making friends at work or school who can support your success.

Choosing Recovery Culture to Maintain Sobriety

Actively choosing to participate in recovery culture can help you resist temptation and reduce the risk of relapses. Because recovery culture is a reaction to drug culture and only exists because there are people who have previously experienced addiction and substance abuse issues, part of entering recovery culture involves recognizing and breaking away from drug culture.

Entering a substance abuse treatment program is a first step to getting involved in recovery culture. Counseling can help you recognize why you might have been attracted to drug culture and can highlight any emotional or social needs that were being met by substance use.

Shifting from drug culture to recovery culture often involves finding alternative activities to replace those commonly used during drug or alcohol use. This might include participating in new hobbies, volunteering or engaging in social activities not centered around drugs and alcohol. It may also include more subtle things, such as getting rid of cannabis-themed clothing and decor. Throwing away a T-shirt featuring an image of a marijuana leaf or a poster depicting bottles of wine can help shift your cultural thinking.

Another way to change your culture from a drug and alcohol focus to one of recovery is to reframe the cultural elements you associated with alcohol and drug use. This might mean listening to music that you associate with drug-fueled raves or at-home drinking in a different context, such as a sober party with friends who don’t drink or use drugs or time spent playing with your pets.

Make a Choice to Engage in Recovery Culture

When you’re ready to break free of alcohol or drug addiction, New Day Recovery can help. Give us a call at 330-953-3300 today to learn more about how to enter a substance abuse treatment program in Ohio and move away from drug culture into a healthier, sober lifestyle.

The Five Stages of Addiction Recovery

Written by New Day Recovery on December 10, 2020. Posted in Blog.

There are a lot of theories about addiction and the recovery process, but one of the most enduring and accurate is the transtheoretical or stages of change model. If you or a loved one is about to start your journey on the road to recovery, it can be a helpful tool for assessing where you’re at. It can also apply to other mental health conditions that may occur alongside alcohol and drug abuse, such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

New Day Recovery is an addiction treatment center that offers detoxification, rehabilitation and sober living services in Youngstown, Ohio. Call us today at 330-953-3300 to start your recovery journey.

Who Invented the Five Stages of Addiction Recovery Model?

Prochaska and DiClemente came up with the original theory to describe the process many people go through during early recovery. Initially, there were only four stages but Norcross added the maintenance stage in 1992 to describe what happens once people have overcome the main struggle.

Intentional behavior change is something that seems as if it should be intuitive, but the way our brains develop means some patterns of behavior are much harder to change than others. For example, if you’ve spent years viewing drug or alcohol use as a positive part of your life or something you depend upon, turning that perception around won’t happen overnight.

The stages of change model describes what happens as your subconscious mind moves away from relying upon addictive behaviors as coping mechanisms. It takes into consideration the fact that many people who are in substance abuse treatment don’t truly comprehend how damaging and unhelpful alcohol or drug use are for them. There’s a process involved in helping people change their perceptions so that they’re actually ready to take action and change.

What Are the Five Stages of Change in Recovery?

Not everyone goes through the stages in the same order or at the same pace. In some instances, people sail through them one by one, by the book. In many cases, however, individuals jump backwards and forwards from stage to stage, sometimes skipping ahead and sometimes falling back. In general, provided the addicted person continues to put effort into recovery and doesn’t give up on themselves, it’s possible to reach maintenance for everyone.

Rehab is the first step on the recovery journey, and it will introduce you to many tools and techniques to help you overcome addiction. Aftercare, mental health services and 12-step programs are important following treatment to ensure you stay on the right path and address any underlying issues.

The five stages in the transtheoretical model of change are:

1. Pre-Contemplation Stage

During pre-contemplation, the individual is completely unaware of any problems related to their drug of choice and can’t find any compelling reasons to stop. While people are in this stage, they might suggest that their behavior is completely normal — they have the right to unwind and have a good time, or something similar. While this might be frustrating for family members, it’s vital that loved ones understand that people in the first stage are usually in denial, lying to themselves as well as those around them.

2. Contemplation Stage

Contemplation describes when the addicted person starts to concede that there are problems in their lives that are a direct result of alcohol or drug addiction. They are unlikely to be enthusiastic about treatment options at this point, but they might express remorse and yearn for a drug-free life. They’ll be more open to carefully presented information to controlling or reducing their intake but won’t make any commitment to change. People can remain in this stage for many years and jump back and forth between this and pre-contemplation.

3. Preparation Stage

While the contemplation stage was very much about learning how to overcome addiction, preparation is when they show the first sign of moving forward with change. They might start planning to cut down gradually or begin counting units, in addition to finding concrete ways to make the necessary alterations.

4. Action Stage

Getting from preparation to action can be one of the hardest jumps, and most people will regress back to preparation at least once before returning to action. This is the part of the process that requires the most self-discipline and patience, but provided you have a solid support network and a plan of action, it can be very exciting.

For most people, action takes place in an addiction treatment facility that provides all the tools and therapy necessary to gain the resilience and know-how to abstain from substances long term. Don’t forget that life without your substance of choice will feel strange and a little empty at first. However, with the right coping mechanisms, a support network and hard work finding exciting new ways to fill your time, you’ll be able to build a more stable, happier life for yourself.

5. Maintenance Stage

The final stage in this model is maintenance, which is characterized by continued maintenance of a substance use disorder. As a chronic disease, there are no one-off cures or quick fixes. So for success in this last phase, it’s vital you continue to resist temptation, find new ways of getting what you need out of life and don’t get complacent.

It’s easy to think that one lapse in judgment won’t hurt once you’ve been substance-free for a while, but it’s all too easy to slip back into old habits. Having reached maintenance means you can battle through challenging feelings, meet triggers head-on and resist temptation. It’s not easy, but it’s 100% possible for everyone.

Get Help for Substance Abuse Today

Addiction treatment programs can help you turn your life around and overcome the challenges that may have contributed to the onset of your substance use disorder. New Day Recovery offers detox and rehab programs at our state-of-the-art addiction treatment facilities in Ohio.

Call us today at 330-953-3300 to find out how to get started on one of our treatment plans.