During week 6, you read several ways to diagnose and assess alcohol use and depe

ID: 97433 • Letter: D

Question

During week 6, you read several ways to diagnose and assess alcohol use and dependency in individuals. One of the important models you read about was James Prochaska and Carlos DiClemente's stages of change. These stages of change are an integrative, biopsychosocial model to conceptualize the process of intentional behavior change. For this week's discussion question, summarize the 5 stages of change. Then, discuss which stage you think would be the most difficult for a person and why. Feel free to use outside sources or use examples from the Shattered Spirits film you watched for your paper this week if needed.

Explanation / Answer

In the early 1980s, James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente (among others) developed a model to explain the process of change in the context of substance use and dependence. Based on their research of 'self-changers', the Stages-of-Change model forms part of a broader conceptual framework known as the Transtheoretical Model. It is composed of the following constructs: stages of change, processes of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance and temptations.

The model describes how people modify a problem behavior or acquire a positive behaviour and also focuses on the decision making of the individual. This model may help to explain differences in persons’ success during treatment for a range of psychological and physical health problems. That’s why this model has been widely applied in behaviour modification techniques.

Stages of change

Relapse/Recycling: In addition, the researchers conceptualized "relapse" (recycling) which is not a stage in itself but rather the "return from Action or Maintenance to an earlier stage".

Stage

Precontemplation

Contemplation

Preparation

Action

Maintenance

Relapse

Standard time

more than 6 months

in the next 6 months

in the next month

now

at least 6 months

any time

[B] Precontemplation stage would be the most difficult for a person.

Because in this stage people don’t want to make any change to their habits and don’t recognize that they have a problem. They may be pessimistic about their ability to make change, or even deny the negative effects of their existing lifestyle habits. They selectively filter information that helps confirm their decision not to exercise, or eat better. This stage is many times referred to as the “denial” stage.

There are many reasons to be in precontemplation - reluctance, rebellion, resignation and rationalization:

So, this stage is very difficult for people to escape from this denial situation. Thus, it is very necessary to reach, or help people in the precontemplation stage. It may take an emotional trigger, or event of some kind that can snap people out of their denial.