Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) Practice Exam

The stages of recovery are recognized as comprising five distinct phases. Understanding these stages is essential, as they provide a structured framework that illustrates the journey individuals can take toward recovery from substance use disorders or mental health challenges.

The five stages typically include:

1. **Precontemplation** – Individuals in this stage may not yet recognize that they have a problem or need for change.

2. **Contemplation** – In this phase, individuals start to realize there is an issue and begin to contemplate making a change.

3. **Preparation** – Here, individuals prepare to take action by planning how they will make changes in their lives.

4. **Action** – This stage is characterized by the active implementation of strategies to change behavior and reduce or eliminate substance use or harmful behaviors.

5. **Maintenance** – In the maintenance stage, the individual works to sustain the changes they have achieved, preventing relapse.

By recognizing and identifying these five stages, recovery support specialists can tailor interventions to meet individuals at their specific stage, fostering a better chance of achieving long-term recovery. The concept of five stages effectively encapsulates the complexity and variability of the recovery journey, which is why this answer is correct.