title: In search of how people change. Applications to addictive behaviors.
abstract: How people intentionally change addictive behaviors with and without treatment is not well understood by behavioral scientists. This article summarizes research on self-initiated and professionally facilitated change of addictive behaviors using the key trans-theoretical constructs of stages and processes of change. Modification of addictive behaviors involves progression through five stages--pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance--and individuals typically recycle through these stages several times before termination of the addiction. Multiple studies provide strong support for these stages as well as for a finite and common set of change processes used to progress through the stages. Research to date supports a trans-theoretical model of change that systematically integrates the stages with processes of change from diverse theories of psychotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Consortium, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Prochaska
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: DiClemente
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Norcross
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support