Stages of Change

This week I had a follow-up session with a former client in recovery. This man was a former user and dealer of the methamphetamine "ICE". This is a very difficult substance to overcome, but our collaborative efforts in rehabilitation paid off. He has been clean since October 2005. One of the keys to change is a persons motivation. If a person is not motivated to change, they could be sitting on Sigmund Freud's couch and leave there unchanged. I firmly believe that it is a matter of your will. Some who read this blog are not interested in changing your current situation, others are contemplating it, and others are making baby steps.

I would like to introduce you to the research work of Prochaska, DiClemente, and Norcross know as the Stages of Change Theory

1. Precontemplation - "which there is no intention to change in the foreseeable future" and people may be "unaware or underaware of their problems".
2. Contemplation - "in which people are aware that a problem exits and are seriously thinking about overcoming it but have not yet made a commitment to take action". (in this stage, pros and cons of the problem and solution are weighed).
3. Preparation - in which individuals intend "to take action in the next month".
4. Action - in which the individuals have successfully modified their situation "from one day to six months".
5. Maintenance - in which people continue to change and prevent relapse.

Currently, I'd have to say that I was in the Contemplation stage. I know what I am doing is not morally correct. I freely admit this fact. Working with addicts, experts in the field say that they are experts on the defense mechanisms of: 1) lies, 2) deception, and 3) cover-up. This is not unlike us....we have lied, deceived, and covered-up to our spouses/significant others in pursuit of our "fix" of sex.

Currently, I'm probably more in the line of Step 2, Contemplation.
So....now it's your turn. Where are you in the process of changing?
I've always said that "change isn't change until it's change"
Your comments are welcomed...