Have you ever heard a child say, “When I grow up, I want to be addicted to drugs or alcohol”? No?
That’s because no one ever plans to be an addict. They don’t start out with their first hit or sip thinking, “This is going to be what starts my downward spiral.”
It’s a process that happens gradually, and by the time you notice it, the seeds of addiction have already become strangling vines.
If you or someone you love is indulging in an addictive substance, this guide will help you pinpoint where in the cycle you or they are right now and what will likely come next.
1. The Introduction
The beginning stages of any addiction start with the user getting introduced to the substance or behavior. Thus, the seeds are planted.
Keep in mind that not all addictions are substance-related. You may be dealing with a behavior that’s disrupting your life, such as gambling, sex or pornography, or shopping.
All of these are dangerous if they’re taken to an extreme. Yet, they all seem relatively “harmless” in their experimental stage. As soon as the introduction is made, the next step is either complete avoidance or continued use.
2. Repeated Use
Yes, someone can experiment with an addictive substance or behavior and never repeat the action. Some people have a bad experience, or they regret their decision, and they have the willpower to choose not to do it again.
But if the experience brings a thrill, helps them to avoid negative emotions, or is enjoyable, they’ll do it again. A second time leads to a third and continues as the user sees their behavior as a casual activity they can quit at any time.
At this stage, the user’s relationships begin to show signs of strain. Friends and family notice there’s a problem, but they may not be quite sure what is going on with the person yet.
3. Use Turns Into Abuse
As the drug becomes more important to the user, it will affect their life on all levels. Their health will deteriorate. Friendships will suffer. Their career will take a backseat, and they’ll call out of work frequently because of a hangover or the urge for their next fix.
Many addicts lose their jobs, then resort to stealing from the people who care about them. They might realize there’s something wrong with their behavior, but they’re powerless to fight the craving on their own.
What they thought was a simple matter of controllable recreational use has turned into substance abuse. The drug now controls their body and mind.
4. Risky Behaviors Increase
Eventually, the amount of the substance that used to work for them won’t be enough. Their bodies will have adjusted and created a tolerance level.
The user will have to increase how much of their drug of choice to get the high they crave, or they’ll add a new vice to their bad habits. They won’t realize the danger, or if they do, they’ll discount it as something that “can’t happen to” them.
They will engage in increasingly reckless behaviors, such as driving under the influence or using drugs at work. Their tempers will be short, and they’ll find themselves arguing and fighting with those they love.
At this stage, once-strong relationships with people who have hung on this long will go one of two ways. The other person will either give up and leave the now-toxic person, or they will attempt an intervention.
5. The Intervention or the Destruction
Stage five can be the make-or-break for an addict. If they’re strong enough to seek help, or someone they love convinces them they need it, they can recover and live normal lives. The key is to find a recovery facility that takes the user and their loved ones through the process, like Hollywood Hills.
Without help, substance abuse often turns into destruction. Our bodies aren’t meant to handle the long-term use of dangerous chemicals.
The damage to a user’s mind and body becomes permanent, and chronic debilitating diseases show up, or the drug use ends up fatal.
Conclusion
Even with help and rehab, addicts can relapse. The process of recovery is a lifelong journey. And the better their support system is, the better their chances of controlling the substance or behavior will be.
