What characterizes the maintenance stage of recovery?

The maintenance stage of recovery is characterized by the consistent engagement in new behaviors for over six months. During this period, individuals have successfully integrated positive changes into their daily lives, allowing them to sustain their recovery efforts. At this stage, the focus is on reinforcing these new behaviors and coping strategies to ensure they become a permanent part of the individual’s lifestyle.

Maintaining changes for an extended period indicates that the person has developed a sense of confidence and control over their recovery, making it less likely for them to revert to old habits. The maintenance stage also involves continued support and reinforcement, ensuring that the individual remains committed to their new way of living and recognizes the importance of ongoing personal growth and health.

In contrast, behaviors that are established for less than six months indicate earlier stages of the change process. Periodic returns to old habits signify a struggle, which is more characteristic of the action or contemplation stages, where individuals are still navigating their way through the change. Confusion about whether behavior change is necessary is often seen in earlier contemplation stages, where individuals may not yet be fully committed to making lasting changes.