Models of reducing addiction: Prochaska 6 stage model Flashcards
what did Prochaska say about addiction?
- there are stages: series of transition and actions leading to changing behaviour
- once behaviour is changed behaviour is not constant state and relapse could occur (normal)
what are the 6 stages of the model?
- precontemplation
- contemplation
- preparation
- action
- maintence
- termination
what is precontemplation?
step 1
- ‘ignorance is bliss’
- not thinking about changing addiciton in future (6 months)
- might be bc of denial- never considered changing bc dont believe have problem or bc of demotivation
what is contemplation?
step 2
- ‘sitting on fence’
- thinking about making change to behaviour in next 6 months
- doesnt mean have decided to change, they are aware need to change but aware of costs
what is preparation?
step 3
- ‘ok im ready for this’
- believe benefits greater than costs, will change behaviour in next month
- not decided how + when to change so useful to construct a plan
what is action?
step 4
- ‘lets do this’
- done something to change behaviour or do something less formal but still meaningful eg cut up cigarattes
- action must reduce their risk ( give up cigarrates rather than switch to low tar)
- focus on develop coping skills need to quit
- action should be in past 6 months
what is maintence?
step 5
- ‘stay on track’
- person maintained some changes in behaviour for more than 6 months
- focus on relapse prevention
- person becomes more confident that abstaining can be continued in long term bc its becoming a way of life
- aims to help apply coping skills learnt + use sources available
what is termination?
step 6
- newly acquired behaviours eg abstience become automatic
- person no longer returns to addictive behaviours to cope with anxiety/stress
- stage may not be possible for some, may be that most appropriate goal is to prolong maintence for as long as can
- percieved to have terminated addiction after being free of addictive substance
how does the model view recovery as a dynamic process?
- model emphasises importance of time, overcoming an addiciton eg smoking is continuing process
- this is why the model proposes behav change occurs thr 6 stages of varying duration for each
- progress through stages is always in same order for everyone
- suggests provides realistic view of complex + active nature of recovery from addiction
how have the stages been criticised?
Arbitrary
- there’s no research evidence to distinguish one stage from another
- research argues that 6 stages can be reduced to 2- precontemplation and others grouped together.
- important implications bc model shows each stage matched to intervention
- little usefulness for understanding changes overtime + treatment recs
what contradictory research is there?
Taylor
- review of NICE meta-analysising six stages.
- concluded that the model was no more effective tha appropriate alternatives eg TPB in changing nicotine addiction-related behaviours
- overall picture is negative
how does the model have high face validity?
- models approach to relapse has high face validity to addicts who may have tried several times to quit unsuccessfully
- unlike TPB which can appear ‘blaming’ this model suggests relapse is normal ‘inevitable’
- reduces stigma for addicts bc can see that relapse is realistic and nothing to fear
