Why relapse is a crucial part of behaviour change

Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change model – widely used in substance misuse recovery – has powerful lessons for business change. The six stages are:

1.    Pre-contemplation: Unaware of the problem or in denial of it, and with no intention of changing behaviour.

2.    Contemplation: Aware that the problem exists, and beginning to explore possible changes, but with no commitment to action.

3.    Preparation: Intent on taking action to address the problem.

4.    Action: Active modification of behaviour.

5.    Maintenance: Sustained change, possibly with brief lapses into old behaviour. New behaviour replaces old.

6.    Relapse: A complete falling back into old patterns of behaviour

The key is that this is an upward spiral, and the crucial stage is relapse.

Every time a person goes through the cycle they learn from each relapse, and (hopefully) grow stranger so that each time it’s shorter and less devastating.

The mistake that I’ve seen a lot of organisations make is that they don’t acknowledge, let alone accept, that relapse is an essential and natural element in human behaviour change, if it to be sustainable.

Most importantly, people need to be supported through all the stages, especially relapse - because this is where they're likely to feel ashamed. Without support around relapse, and a commitment to curiosity / learning, people will lock down into denial – and then it will be harder to get them back into contemplation.

So, next time you think that you have ‘buy-in’ for a change programme, don’t be surprised if this changes. People might buy in today and relapse tomorrow!