The goal of the maintenance stage is to maintain the new status quo. There are not so many changes to be made as in previous stages. People at this stage tend to remind themselves of how much progress they have made.
Maintenance is the stage in which people maintain a drug free lifestyle. They may be back in work, relationships reconciled, and even helping others. They are less tempted to relapse and growing in the confidence that they can continue their change. They are able to anticipate the situations in which relapse could occur and prepare coping strategies in advance.
People in the Maintenance stage constantly reformulate the rules of their lives and acquire new skills to deal with life and avoid relapse. They remain aware that what they are striving for is personally worthwhile and meaningful so that they can stay on track.