Increasing Motivation & Readiness for Change Contemplation | Addiction and Mental Health Recovery
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Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses the stage of contemplation in the readiness for change. Contemplation is when a person starts to think about the need for change. They have realized that there might be a problem and are feeling distressed but also overwhelmed by what they may have to do and unsure of the next step. Dr. Snipes uses the analogy of a hot summer day and getting in a pool to explain the difference between precontemplation and contemplation. In precontemplation, the person is not aware of the problem and has no motivation to change. In contemplation, the person is starting to feel the heat but is hesitant to jump into the pool because of the drastic change in temperature.
To help increase motivation for change, Dr. Snipes suggests spending about 30 minutes thinking about how to increase commitment to both the change process and the things that are important in one's life. This involves recognizing how the behavior or issue is preventing them from having the life they want and finding ways to increase commitment to change despite the challenges. It is also important to increase the sense of control over oneself, recovery, and important aspects of life. Instead of seeing barriers or problems, it is encouraged to view them as challenges and find ways to overcome them.
Dr. Snipes also highlights the importance of recognizing exceptions to the issues one is facing. By identifying times when the issues were not present, such as when not using substances, not feeling depressed, not feeling anxious, not experiencing anger, or not engaging in addictive behaviors, one can identify activities or factors that contribute to their well-being. This can include activities like playing with a dog or making changes in one's environment or daily routine. Dr. Snipes suggests spending about 20 minutes listing five times when the issues were not present and examining what was different during those times.
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses the stage of contemplation in the readiness for change. Contemplatio