What Are the Stages of Addiction Counselling?
Do you have a loved one struggling with addiction and has been diagnosed with substance use disorder? Whether group therapy has been attempted, you have noticed withdrawal symptoms, the road to recovery isn’t easy. If you are unsure where to begin, it is good to have someone to guide you through the process.
This article will dive into the stages of addiction counselling, what to expect, and how drug and alcohol counselling has many benefits to the recovery process.
Why Does the Recovery Process Matter?
Why is it so important to understand the recovery process? It isn’t only useful for people struggling with substance abuse, it is also useful for families, friends, and treatment providers.
Knowing the stage a person is in allows for effective communication, realistic expectations, and the best kind of support. Instead of forcing someone towards treatment when they are ready, loved ones can guide respectfully and gently. This increases the likelihood of long-term success.
When clients and families understand that change is a process (not a single event), it sets the stage for patience, resilience, and compassion.
5 Stages of Recovery: What Are They?
The precontemplation stage
When an individual is in the first stage of recovery, they are not yet ready for a treatment program. This stage is defensiveness and justifying behaviour.
Overall, there’s a lack of insight into the negative impact of drug or alcohol use (and how it is hurting people) and focusing on the positives of the experience. For example, feeling happy for once or not thinking about traumatic memories. It works as a numbing agent and puts the person into a cycle of self-destruction.
Someone might stay in this stage because they don’t understand addiction. For example, feeling disappointed by multiple failed attempts at recovery and treatment. Some people in this stage feel recovery isn’t possible, but the truth is, anyone can recover.
Challenges can be denial, resistance to outside input, and feeling hopeless. Loved ones may struggle to reach out without triggering defensive behaviour. It is important to reach out to the person without confrontation or attend Alcoholics Anonymous sessions to find out more about how you can provide compassionate support.
The contemplation stage
This involves contemplating readiness and wanting to bring about change in the future, but not straight away. Unlike the previous stage, the person is aware of the pros of becoming free of substances.
That said, they are still aware of the benefits (that they perceive) from alcohol or drug addiction. It is an important stage for families and treatment facilities since the person is more likely to listen to reason. Avoiding judgment, blame and accusations guides the individual to the next stage instead of emotional relapse.
The preparation stage
A sense of urgency is built for a desire to be sober. Steps are made towards acting (such as attending self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or therapy sessions), seeing a counsellor or attempting to quit without going to a treatment centre.
Sometimes, people come into this phase for a few days without turning to drugs or alcohol, then bounce back to the previous stage during triggers.
Filled with vulnerability and motivation, this stage reveals a desire for genuine change, but the person may still be struggling with doubt, anxiety, or the fear of this change. Pressure from family, health concerns, or the legal system can also help (or hinder) progress, depending on how it is applied.
It is recommended to have a structured treatment plan, encouragement from peers, and professional support for long-term recovery.
The action stage
This phase of the recovery journey involves the person being committed to change and is characterised by periods of abstinence and wanting to turn to a professional for help before and after relapse.
Changes will be evident in multiple areas of lifestyle, such as self-care and self-understanding, which are prevalent during this stage; however, counselling is necessary to keep the individual on the right path.
It brings a mix of empowerment and emotional ups-and-downs, such as mood swings, intense cravings, or grief processing life without substances. Relapse triggers such as relationships, stress, or loneliness are common, so therapy, structure and support groups are so critical.
Clear Day Consulting welcomes drug and alcohol counselling in Sydney (and wherever you are in Australia, if by phone or video chat) for people at all stages of recovery.
The maintenance stage
The maintenance stage involves the individual working to prevent addiction recovery relapse and psychological dependence. Lifestyle changes are made like exercise, attending support groups, sleep, hygiene, and recreational activities. The urge to relapse isn’t felt as often as the action phase, so confidence grows and the belief to maintain sobriety for the long term.
It can last from six months to five years, depending on the severity of the addiction, the individual’s genes or experience. Often, it takes a small number of people six months of abstinence to reach the point where they don’t go back to addiction; however, for most, a commitment of two to five years is necessary to break the habit.
How long does each stage of recovery take? It depends on the person, the severity of the addiction, peer support, mental health conditions and personal motivation.
Moving through the stages for some can be quick, but for others, it can take months or years.
Read: Why You Need Therapy for Trauma – Healing That Goes Beyond Coping. Clear Day Consulting enables you to learn skills to cope with trauma counselling sessions for a healthy, happy life.
Addiction Counselling: How Clear Day Consulting Supports Your Recovery?
Clear Day Consulting works with people every day who want to regain control of a bad habit before it becomes a bigger problem.
- First, you’ll have an initial session. We listen to your situation and put together a plan to achieve your goals.
- You’ll start building awareness through open conversations, recognise triggers, habits, patterns and stress points that lead to drug or drinking use.
- Ongoing support. You’ll stay accountable and make progress. Meet us regularly to check on progress, adjust strategies and help you stay motivated.
Unlike traditional retreat-style programs that mean weeks (or months) away from work and family, our approach fits your schedule.
We don’t label you or focus on what is wrong; we treat addiction as a behavioural habit. A habit that can be understood, reframed and changed. Our counselling sessions include:
- Structured coaching
- Clear milestones
- An ongoing support system
- Progress without judgement or disruption
Book a consultation today for drug addiction counselling and alcohol counselling sessions in Sydney where you feel heard.
Take Charge with Addiction Counselling in Sydney: Call Us
No matter what stage of the recovery phase you are in for addiction treatment, Clear Day Consulting believes that lasting change doesn’t take dramatic interventions or weeks away from your life. The step-by-step coaching program we provide is flexible, practical, and works with you:
- Attend in person, video call, or phone call. Payment can be made after the session.
- Each 55-minute session is $245; however, Medicare covers drug or alcohol counselling if you have a mental health condition. Speak to your GP about a Mental Health Care Plan.
- Clear Day Consulting is located in Sydney CBD. Our head office is in Macquarie Street, Sydney.
Whether you’re cutting back, quitting, or just want to feel more in control, we are here to make changes happen for sober living.
Book a free 20-minute video or phone consultation to discuss your substance use and plan a clear path forward. You can also contact us by calling 02 9420 0788 or emailing
info@cleardayconsulting.com.au to talk to us about our services. Recovery is always possible.
