What is the primary goal during the maintenance stage of behavior change?

During the maintenance stage of behavior change, the primary goal is to successfully avoid any temptations to revert to bad habits. This phase follows the action stage, where individuals have made significant changes to their behavior. The focus in maintenance is on consolidating those changes and preventing relapse. It involves practicing new skills and strategies to deal with triggers or situations that may provoke a return to undesired behaviors.

The importance of avoiding temptations lies in the understanding that maintaining change is just as challenging as making the initial change. This is where ongoing support, coping mechanisms, and a strong awareness of one’s triggers become crucial. Maintaining new behavior is about reinforcing the positives while actively managing the risks of slipping back into old habits.

The other options, while relevant to the broader context of behavior change, don't specifically target the primary goal of this maintenance stage. Evaluating individual strengths and weaknesses may occur earlier in the process, potentially influencing later behaviors. Screening for treatment is typically part of the initial phases of change, while establishing long-term goals for treatment is also more applicable to the earlier stages before a person has fully committed to maintaining change.