Blog » Post-Addiction
Addiction doesn’t just happen in a vacuum, nor does it happen overnight. There are countless factors which contribute to an individual developing an addiction, just as there are countless substances and behaviours to become addicted to. For the purposes of this article, we’re referring to substance addiction. The stages of addiction can be subtle at first. If you’re here researching on behalf of a loved one, the situation has obviously escalated to a point concerning enough to bring you here so there’s a good chance they’re on their way to addiction.
Stage 1 – Experimentation
At this stage the user has moved beyond simply trying the substance on its own and is starting to experiment with the substance in different situations and contexts to see how it impacts their life. During this stage, there are no cravings for the drug and the user is making a conscious decision to use and how much. The users generally have no issue quitting the substance should they choose to.
Stage 2 – Regular Use
Usually at this stage, users are starting to incorporate their substance of choice into their everyday lives. This is where the use becomes normalised by the user and starts to become problematic. There is still no addiction yet, but the individual is likely to begin thinking about using the substance more frequently, developing a mental reliance on the substance. Quitting is harder in this stage but still manageable without intervention, should the user want to change the behaviour.
Stage 3 – Risky Use
Generally, this stage is where the use escalates to increasingly problematic situations and levels, and may start to have a significant impact on the user’s day to day life. For example, they may begin showing up to work hungover, start to neglect responsibilities or display significant changes in behaviour. This is often the stage where we start to see the use having significant negative impacts on the user’s life. This could include things like developing financial difficulties, breakdown of personal relationships, employment termination or issues. Once a user gets to this stage, it is very difficult for the user to get better without outside intervention.
Stage 4 – Dependence
Once the user grows dependent on their substance of choice, both their body and mind are reliant on the substance use for everyday functioning. If use abruptly stops, they will experience withdrawal. The user firmly believes they ‘need’ the substance and cannot function without it. It’s rare individuals are able to get better on their own; they almost certainly need additional support.
Stage 5 – Addiction
Further to dependence, individuals who become addicted to a substance not only feel they ‘need’ the substance, they also feel they can no longer deal with life without access to their chosen substance. As a result, they often lose complete control of their choices and actions, becoming single-minded focused on getting their next ‘fix.’ Individuals who want to get better must commit to a complete lifestyle change to achieve and maintain sobriety.
Signs of potential addiction can be difficult to spot and an even more difficult topic to broach with a loved one. If you suspect a loved one may be heading down the road of addiction, support is available. For more information about our drug and alcohol treatment programs, give us a call on 1300 190 370
