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IN THIS EPISODE:
The Stages of Change: A Roadmap to Readiness
Show Notes
Figure out where you are in the change cycle to be more efficient at stopping your drinking, weed smoking or over-eating. Be more effective with others by identifying where they are in the change cycle. In this episode we talk about an old addictions concept, the Stages of Change by DiClemente and Prochaska, and apply it to many trouble spots in life.
Stages of change model starts with Precontemplation and moves to Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, Relapse….The idea here is recognize that a whole lot happens in the noggin well before you see any action to fix the problem behavior.
We also discuss it from a 4-part perspective, which we call Process of Change
Unconscious dysfunctional behavior – help the person have a reason to change, encourage exploration, leave door open for future conversations, don’t be controlling or aggressive here, talk about your needs not theirs
Conscious dysfunctional behavior – ambivalent feelings usually present, help sort out pros and cons but don’t take just one side, encourage further exploration
Conscious functional behavior – lot’s of support, no shame with failure, identify and assist problem solving of obstacles, small steps good, link with social support
Unconscious functional behavior – keep practicing and it’ll move here, continue to get support and connect to values, cope w/ relapse, move from external motivation to internal
RESOURCES:
Additional resources for this episode:
- Process of Change: PDF visual representation of Process of Change
- Prochaska JO, DiClemente CC, Norcross JC: In search of how people change. Am Psychol 1992;47:1102–4,
- Miller WR, Rollnick S: Motivational interviewing: preparing people to change addictive behavior. New York: Guilford, 1991:191–202.
- Gabor Mate: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts nothing glib or self-helpish about this book, thorough and compelling look at addiction throughout our society. Recommended by TU.
- Maia Szalavitz: Unbroken Brain, A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction New York Times best-seller, paradigm-shifting