Addiction doesn’t happen overnight. While there are many factors that contribute to drug and alcohol abuse, most substance use treatment professionals agree that there are four phases of addiction. They include experimentation, daily use, high-risk use, and addiction. Not everyone in the first two phases will develop an addiction, but people in phases two and three are likely to advance into full-blown addiction.
Realizing these stages is a vital step in recognizing that you may have a problem and seeking help before your substance use transforms into an addiction.
Phase One: Experimentation
The person using the substance visualizes this instance of getting high or drinking as an isolated event, without realizing that this is the door to the downward spiral of addiction. Anyone who is able to stop using by themselves will do so, while those who think substance use will continue to make them feel good will advance into the next phase of daily use.
Phase Two: Daily Use
While some may be able to use of drugs or alcohol without the addiction consequence, the risk for dependence rapidly increases during phase two. The occasional happy hour or weed smoking is now a daily ritual. And, before you can step away from use, you’re down the rabbit hole of dependency. Some individuals may feel guilt or an epiphany moment, but most will continue to rationalize it or make justifications.
Stage 3: High-Risk Use
Depending on the substance, cravings can become problematic, and they may drive you to do things you wouldn’t normally do just to get your hands on more drugs or alcohol. You may also begin to justify dangerous behaviors, such as operating machinery while high or driving your kids to school while drunk, as necessary undertakings, and your work, relationships, and other obligations suffer as a result.
Phase 4: Addiction
Once phase four is reached, you have completed all four phases of addiction and likely become defenseless against your substance of choice. It’s becomes this simple; when you don’t have drugs or booze, your body responds in the form of withdrawal symptoms like shakes, sweats, tremors, and other agitated behavior. You spend most of the time in an altered state of mind, and you don’t want something to stand in the way of it. This is the phase that even if someone tells you that your life depends on getting sober, you question whether you can or not.
About Celadon Recovery
Celadon is comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment center located along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. With a full-continuum of care including detox, residential, and outpatient programs, we are committed to quality substance use and co-occurring disorder care. Call us today at 239-266-2141.
