What is the likelihood of relapse for individuals skipping the preparation stage of change?

Individuals who skip the preparation stage of change are likely to face significant challenges when attempting to make a behavioral change. The preparation stage is critical as it involves planning and strategizing for the upcoming changes. Skipping this stage often leads to insufficient readiness, support, and planning, which can result in difficulty maintaining new behaviors.

Research indicates that the likelihood of relapse increases as individuals lack the foundational strategies required to sustain their efforts. In particular, the timeframe of 21 days is often highlighted in behavioral change studies due to the common understanding that it takes about three weeks to form or break habits. Thus, individuals who do not adequately prepare are at a heightened risk of returning to old behaviors within that period, as they may not have developed the skills or support systems necessary to support long-term change.

Therefore, the option indicating a high risk of relapse within 21 days aligns with the critical understanding of how preparation impacts the ability to maintain new habits and avoid returning to previous behaviors.