At which stage of behavior change are people at the highest risk of relapse?

During the Action stage of behavior change, individuals actively modify their behaviors and create new habits. This stage involves significant changes that can be challenging to maintain. Because these changes are relatively new, individuals may not yet have developed the necessary strategies to handle triggers and temptations effectively, leading to a higher risk of relapse.

In contrast, people in the Maintenance stage have typically established their new habits for a longer period, which allows them to become more resilient to setbacks. Those in the Preparation or Contemplation stages are still planning or thinking about making changes and have not yet fully engaged in the behavior modification process, making them less likely to experience relapse compared to those who are actively trying to change their behavior.