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University Health Service (UHS)
Health Promotion Office

Stages of Change Model

What stage best describes you at the current time:

• Precontemplation: I am using tobacco and have not thought about quitting.
  Individuals in this stage have no interest in changing their behavior (i.e., smoking) in the next six months.
• Contemplation: I am using tobacco and have just started thinking about quitting.
  People in this stage intend to make a change within the next six months. Generally people in this stage are ambivalent about making the change. They may be thinking about the barriers to change (e.g., time, expense, hassle, fear) as well as the benefits of changing. Giving up an enjoyed behavior can cause a feeling of loss despite the perceived gain.
• Preparation: I am using tobacco and am preparing to quit.
  Individuals in this stage plan to take action within the next 30 days and have begun to take some steps in that direction.
• Action: I quit using tobacco less than 3 weeks ago.
  In this stage the individual has changed the behavior for the past 6 months.
• Maintenance: I quit using tobacco 3 or more weeks ago.
  The individual has changed the behavior for more than 6 months.
• Relapse/Recycle:
  Most patients find themselves "recycling" through the stages of change several times before the change becomes truly established.

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