What is the first stage in the recovery process?

The first stage in the recovery process, referred to as the "Impact of Illness/Substance Use Disorder (SUD)", focuses on the initial recognition of how the illness affects an individual’s life. This stage is crucial because it involves acknowledging the consequences of substance use and understanding the ways it has disrupted personal health, relationships, and overall functioning.

Individuals begin to comprehend the full extent of their challenges, which can include physical, emotional, social, and legal repercussions. This awareness is key to motivating them to seek help and consider change. Recognizing the impact plays a significant role in laying the groundwork for the subsequent stages of recovery, where individuals will start to believe that change is possible and develop a commitment to pursuing that change.

In contrast, the other stages focus on different aspects of the recovery journey. While "Change is Possible" and "Commitment to Change" emphasize the readiness and determination to change, these come after the individual has dealt with the reality of their circumstances. The stage "Life is Limited" describes a more entrenched perspective characterized by hopelessness, which is not the starting point for most recovery journeys. Thus, understanding the impact of the illness is a pivotal first step.