Transtheoretical Model

The change process is complex and interesting, that my reaction to the stages of change by James Prochaska. The reading is a true reflection of me personally, the way I was surrounded in my social environment in my early 20's. Everybody makes mistake and I have made mine. Reading by Prochaska, Norcross and DiClemente (1994), the theoretical method reminds me of the process I went through with the help from the professionals for intervention of breaking the cycles with regard to alcohol problems. The theoretical model of behavior change demonstrated by Prochaska, Norcoss and DiClemente are the exact series of stages I used to feel, that changed my unhealthy behavior from alcoholic to sobriety. Surprisingly, I see that the theoretical model apparently had applied to me when I ignored the consequences of my behavior being drunk. I remembered clearly, while reading the six stages of change, that the most difficult to follow through and it gotten to the point where I failed to regress from action or maintenance back to a pre-action stage, such as contemplation to maintaining sobriety.

The second theoretical model that I like was developed by McConnaughy, Prochaska and Velicer (1983), the 10 stages of the process of change and self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977). It's a good technique that I also used to cope with my situation, especially when I was in a long term relationship. After I attended several alcoholic anonymous meetings, there were times that I felt being stuck and unsure if I was addicted to alcohol or not. I was once was in the position that I fell in Prochaska's techniques, the dramatic relief and helping relationship. I was feeling of an overwhelming amount of stress and/or insufficient coping skills at my early 20's and developing a plan of attack against my situation. There was constant pressure that affected me by the people that care and love me that they knew what I was and the people felt embarrassed in the public. Although I have recovered from relapsing, learn from relapsing, and continue toward my goal of permanent change.

I believe that Prochaska and his colleagues conducted a powerful research to develop extensive techniques for the people that want to learn the model, allow change and to solve problem from bad to good behavior in their lives. I am honored to read about the model of change and acknowledge to use it daily in my life in order to avoid dealing with an addiction. Also, as becoming an alcohol and drug abuse counselor, this will help me understand the stages that patients undergo during the process of successfully changing a behavior and enables me to tailor interventions individually.