Six Stages Of 180 Days Sober: Learn the BenefitsBy Michaela

180 days of sobriety are difficult and require patience, perseverance, and determination. Many things happen in the six months between now and then, from mental health adjustments to physical health improvements.

Recovery necessitates a complete lifestyle shift, but for someone seeking treatment or in the early stages of recovery, a life free of addiction may seem a million miles away, especially if you don’t know what to expect along the journey. 

The six stages of change, also known as the transtheoretical model, were developed by alcohol use disorder academics James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente decades ago and offer insight into how treatment works and how recovery is attained.

Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination are the six fundamental stages of change in addiction treatment. 

Although people can progress through these stages in the order listed, it’s also usual for them to just skip, and go back and forth, or be in more than one stage at a time. 

Observing and understanding tthe stages of change as a sequential cycle, can help you grasp how the changes happen and how addictive behavior can be treated and managed.

The Six Stages Of 180 Days Sober

Precontemplation

In the early stages of alcohol withdrawal, most people do not see their behavior as a problem. 

Perhaps they haven’t suffered any negative consequences due to their actions, or they are oblivious to the seriousness of their actions and the consequences they have suffered.

A person’s addicted behavior is generally positive, even enjoyable, at this stage and hasn’t resulted in any harmful effects. 

They aren’t interested in receiving quit-sitting advice or being informed about any harmful side effects at this moment. 

A person with addictive behaviors who have not yet considered changing can be classified into one of four groups:

1. Precontemplator with trepidation

These individuals are unaware of their situation and lack the motivation to change.

2. Precontemplator who is rebellious

This people do not enjoy following dirctives or people telling them what to do. They won’t give up their addictive behavior.

3. Precontemplator who has resigned

They’ve given up hope for change for many reasons, one of which is that maybe they’re so overwhelmed by their addictive behavior.

4. Precontemplator rationalizing

They believe they know everything and explain why substance abuse isn’t a problem for them.

Contemplation

Contemplators have already acknowledged they have an issue. They somehow want to change, but they haven’t made up their mind if they can fully commit. 

This type of person is more receptive to learning about the possible implications of their action and the various solutions accessible at this stage.

However, they are still contemplating or debating. They haven’t made up or committed to a specific plan yet. Thus they haven’t made a change. 

Years can pass during the pondering stage. They may go to the next level or relapse to precontemplation at times.

Preparation

A person is dedicated and prepared to act. They might consult with a health care specialist to examine their current situation and discuss treatment choices for the long term.

Action

At this point, fundamental change–that is, a behavior change–begins. The action stage for many people starts with a masterclass or coaching program with a coach that can guide them through the early phases of recovery. 

A person will participate in a coaching program that addresses the fundamental reasons for addiction at this level. 

Masterclasses and Coaching programs can help people better understand their addiction and themselves, while alternative and complementary therapies can aid overall well-being and recovery. 

The action stage will also help a person discover healthy, effective coping methods for stress and triggers, allowing them to go through the maintenance stage without relapsing.

Relapse and Maintenance

Any change takes time and works to maintain. This type of person is now beginning to adjust to their new substance-free lifestyle during the maintenance period. 

Reverting to thier previous behaviors becomes less of a threat as they gain traction. Substance abuse disorder, on the other hand, is a long-term illness. 

The danger of relapse, like with all chronic conditions, is always present. However, it is not a clear an indication of inadequacy or weakness. 

Even if you learn the skills, you need to avoid relapse in the action stage, and you may still relapse. It is possible to re-establish sobriety; however, more specialized treatment is required.

Termination

Termination is the ultimate aim of the phases of change: when a person with a alcohol use disorder is no longer threatened by their addiction of choice. 

They are already confident and comfortable to live a life free of alcohol at this point, and their fear for relapse become less and less each day.

For those people who are still contemplating or are in the early stages of recovery, the stages of transformation may appear intimidating. 

Just keep in mind that knowing what to expect might help you progress through these stages more confidently. 

It is possible to achieve long-term sobriety, and The Alcohol Coach can assist you in doing so.

Benefits of Being 180 Days Sober

It’s not simple to recover from substance misuse. Alcoholics give up the fight against addiction and relapse for various reasons. 

Recovery from alcoholism isn’t impossible if you have motivation, expert aid, and the support of your loved ones. Here are some of the advantages to look forward to as you embark on your journey:

Healthy Appearance

Alcoholism fills your body with poisons and makes it dependent, causing a lot of damage. It will also affect the nutritional balance in your body. 

It accelerates the aging process, suppresses appetite, and produces rapid weight loss. 

However, once you reach that tipping point and stay sober for six months, your physical health will begin to improve. 

You’ll notice a difference in your skin and attractiveness as well! When you stop drinking, your body will gradually cleanse and rid itself of all the toxins that were harming your physical health, and you will begin to look healthier.

Reducing Brain Damage

Varying stages of alcoholism have different effects on the brain. It will cause clouded vision, slowed reaction times, and memory problems, among other things. 

It all depends on how long a person has been drinking and how healthy they are. Alcohol causes the brain to be filled with toxins, which can cause blackouts and even permanent memory impairment. 

After thirty days of sobriety, you will begin to experience various changes. The lack of serotonin and dopamine may make you feel more depressed. 

You will have conquered withdrawal symptoms and observed changes and improvements in your memory and vision after 180 days of sobriety.

Alcohol addicts experience a variety of mental health issues. Damage to the brain causes increased stress and anxiety, paranoia, anger management, unpredictable behavior, social anxiety, sleeplessness, exhaustion, and many other issues. 

Excessive alcohol use has a significant impact on one’s interpersonal interactions. Staying sober for more extended periods will have a favorable effect on your brain.

Social Anxiety Is Lessened

You will have a lot of social anxiety from the onset of your addiction until the first two months of sobriety. 

When you begin to stay sober, you will be worried about how others would regard you as an alcoholic and refuse to interact with you. 

This is when your social anxiety may be at its highest. However, as your treatment, sobriety, and counseling progress, you will notice a shift in your social interactions. 

After six months of sobriety, you will no longer have any social paranoia. This makes it much easier to reintegrate into society and build connections with friends and coworkers.

Emotional Harmony

Depression may accompany the first several months of abstinence. You may feel depressed for various reasons, including the fact that toxins are beginning to leave your body and you are noticing a decrease of serotonin, or “happy hormones.” 

It could also be due to the stress of getting sober and determining how you will stay focused for a long time. 

You’ll notice positive changes in your emotions over time, and with the support of coaching programs, you’ll feel less depressed and have fewer mood swings. 

Your body’s natural levels of dopamine begin to restore once you’ve been clean for approximately 180 days, and you’ll notice beneficial changes in your mood.

Improved Relationships With Loved Ones

After six months of sobriety, you will begin to feel more tranquil and see a significant change in your relationships with friends and family. 

You will get estranged from your loved ones if you overuse alcohol. Your volatility in behavior, anger issues, trust concerns, and anxiety could all be contributing factors.

The first 180 days to a year of sobriety will be difficult and will put your patience to the test at times. 

Your physical and mental health, as well as how you deal with complex events and handle yourself in public, will all change. 

If you do not see the results you want, you may feel pressured and despairing, but remember that sobriety is a great adventure that will continue to reward you. 

When you recognize how easy it is to live a clean life, you will avoid circumstances where you could be at risk of relapsing. 

After six months of sobriety, your body, physical health, social relationships, and how you interact with the world will all change for the better. Keep in mind why you began this journey and why it is worthwhile!

If you’re seeking help cutting back on or quitting drinking, online our expert coaching programs are here for you. The Alcohol Coach can help. 

We offer science-based, and inspiring coaching programs. You may also sign up for the free masterclass and have access to free resources that will aid you in your quest towards alcohol-free life!

Please note: Although we refer to ‘alcoholism’ and ‘recovery’ in our articles, this is because these terms are often used by others. 

The Alcohol Coach services come from a viewpoint of empowerment, mindset shift and high powered transformational change. Then this happens there are no lifelong labels, no counting days, and pure unbounded freedom and discovery.