Transtheoretical Model Paper

According to (Claire Andre, Manuel Velasquez, and Tim Mazur) alcohol abuse is the most costly habit in the United States. Alcohol cost the health care system an estimated $85.8 billion in recent years. Alcohol is recorded as one of the deadliest and the most costly habit the United State has. The money that is being spend on disease and treatment can be used for education into the effect that smoking have on our family, community, children and preventive measures. Unhealthy behaviors and habits due to alcohol, leads to others paying a higher cost to cover things like; higher insurance premiums, more government debts, and more disability are being pay out due to individual illnesses. Many employers have developed ways to give incentives

This model was applied and tested by alcoholism researchers in different health care setting. According to researchers James O. Prochaska and Carlo C. DiClemente this model claims an individual is at one of the five stages of change at any given time in their live as an alcoholic. One stage of the model depends on the next stage for an individual to complete it properly. The individual should begin with pre-contemplation stage with no perceive notion by consciously thinking that a change has to occur in this stage. Stage two is the contemplation stage one makes excuses for why they can’t quit drinking. For example, “if I quit my nerves with become bad. “ Then there is the preparation stage, this is the stage you make devise a plan and stick to it; although you know there may be resistant ahead you are willing to push past it and continue as plan. The next stage is “Action” you are now able to use your coping skills to help you make intelligent choices to finish what you have started. The finally stage is the maintenance stage. This stage you are experience change and working hard not to have a setback. During this stage you avoid places and people that might trigger the desire for alcohol.