The Cycle of Adeption

The Cycle of Adeption is a behavioural model of change and motivation. It builds on the work of Prochaska and Di Clementi (1), who created the Cycle of Change that was initially developed in relation to Addictive Behaviours. However, it has become one of the leading change models across other sectors. It set out to explore ways in which people can intentionally change their behaviour, by first establishing the common stages (subconscious) that people go through when making spontaneous changes. 

In our own work with clients, and from our own lived experience, we felt that the cycle is a little more nuanced and we went through a number of iterations to develop the current version of the Cycle Adeption and tested it with clients and students. 

The outcome of the Cycle is in becoming, ultimately, Adept at life, but can be applied to the step changes needed to reach that outcome. Eg to become Adept at self-care may be an initial step change needed in order to progress to creating success in relationships and work.

Below is a brief description of each of the Cycle of Adeption stages.

NB re Willing/Decision – it is fair to say that willingness and a decision is needed at each stage of the cycle. We first need to be willing to embark upon a process of change or journey towards Adeption, before we can progress. Equally, the word decision itself, comes from the Latin ‘De’ meaning ‘off’, and ‘Caedere’ meaning ‘cut’, in late Middle English it means ‘bring to settlement’.

Therefore, when we make a decision, we literally ‘cut off’ any other options, this means that a decision brings about a clear focus and commitment to the task ahead. Indeed, in relation to addiction, the 12 step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous’ 3rd step is : ‘Made a decision to turn our will and our life over to the care of God, as we understood him’. In this respect, we have committed to a path of recovery.

So, in the model, we have placed ‘Willing/Decision’ after Aware, but it can be considered relevant in conjunction with every other step of the cycle as well, but the model will have appeared unwieldy to present it in visual form, on the diagram.

Aware

Willing/Decision

Ownership

Intention

The Cycle begins at the point at which a person first becomes aware of the need for change, or that there is a challenge that needs addressing.

Important at each stage, where willingness signals a move forwards, and the decision, commits a person to the path and tasks ahead.

Taking ownership for both our challenge and the journey ahead, is a vital component of the process of Adeption, and personal responsibility is echoed in SHAPE, the basic elements of Peer Support. 

Setting the intention to follow the journey, reinforces commitment, and begins the process of laying out the detail of the tasks and the plan.

Rehearse

Act

Sustain

Reflect

Rehearsing, (mentally or physically) or visualising oneself in the role, situation, activity, or behaviour planned, greatly enhances our chances of success. 

As in all things, a plan is always only a plan until it is executed, this is the stage at which physical and behavioural change is really noticed. The stages between intention & action can be the most challenging and bring up resistance. We have been developing techniques and tools to enhance success at these stages. 

We have moved away from maintenance, which connotes a constant level of activity, to the more energy efficient mode os sustenance. The notion is that the ‘Adept’ is able to meld the new behaviours so as to become an habitual, ‘normal’ part of themselves and their daily life, thus there is no need to constantly maintain. 

Reflection is the joining point of the model and can be both the end and the beginning. There is certainly an aspect of reflection that brings us to awareness and then reflection after sustenance whilst new changes are coming into existence, or even refinement of the process we have just completed. 

  1. In Search of How People Change: Applications to Addictive Behaviour, Prochaska, J.O., & DiClementi, C.C.; September 1992, American Psychologist, Vol. 47, No. 9, 1102-1114