. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2012 May 23.

Published in final edited form as: J Soc Social Work Res. 2012 Mar 23;3(2):65–79. doi: 10.5243/jsswr.2012.5

Table 1.

Defining Stages of Treatment

Treatment Stage	Definition
Preengagement	Does not have contact with a case manager, mental health counselor, or substance abuse counselor; meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence
Engagement	Has had only irregular contact with a case manager or counselor; meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence
Early Persuasion	Has regular contact with a case manager or counselor; continues to use the same amount of substances or has reduced substance use for less than 2 weeks; meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence
Late Persuasion	Has regular contact with a case manager or counselor; shows evidence of reduction in use for the past 2 to 4 weeks (e.g., fewer substances, smaller quantities, or both); still meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence
Early Active Treatment	Engaged in treatment and has reduced substance use for more than the past month; still meets criteria for substance abuse or dependence during this period of reduction
Late Active Treatment	Engaged in treatment and has not met criteria for substance abuse or dependence for the past 1 to 5 months
Relapse Prevention	Engaged in treatment and has not met criteria for substance abuse or dependence for the past 6 to 12 months
Remission or Recovery	Has not met criteria for substance abuse or dependence for more than the past year