In this stage, the change has been established for the past six months and the threat of returning to old behaviors becomes less intense or frequent.

In this stage of change, individuals move from planning to doing and have been making significant behavioral changes for a while. Here we make substantial adjustments to our relationships, routines, environments, and perhaps even to ourselves in order to further the change we desire.

In this stage of change, an individual acknowledges the problem and begins an internal debate about pursuing change. A lot of time may be spent in this stage as many may not be ready to commit to changing.

In this stage of change, individuals are aware of the behavioral change they desire; however, they have no conscious intention of altering their behavior. They may be strongly influenced by pressure from others who are aware of their problems.