Table.

Stages of change, patient level of motivation and appropriate physician interventional tasks

Stage of behavioral change	Patient level of motivation	Motivational task by physician
Precontemplation	Denial	Educate, create doubt, ask patient to think about their substance use behavior and keep a diary.
[UNK] Contemplation	Ambivalence	Risk and benefit analysis, raise consciousness, consider trial of abstinence, provide pamphlets.
[UNK] Determination	Motivated to change	Assist in determining course of action, explore treatment resources, review family and social supports, set goals and a quit date.
[UNK] Action	Engaged in change	Support and follow-up. Explore patient concerns and stressors.
[UNK] Maintenance	Maintaining change	Identify and use strategies to prevent relapse, discuss “triggers” and “cravings,” reassess support system.
[UNK] Relapse	Ambivalent or motivated	Help renew process of change, understand relapse as a component of ATODA, reassess goals and support system, consider more aggressive treatment, explore “triggers” and “cravings.”
From Prochaska and DiClemente31