Stages of Addiction

When it comes to substance addiction, it affects people from all walks of life regardless of their age, economic and social status, gender, or religion. It is not only life-threatening in many cases, it devastates the lives of everyone around the addicted individual especially their families, loved ones, and other close personal friends. If you are concerned about you or a loved one having a substance dependency issue, here are the stages of addiction that you need to be aware of.

Stage 1: experimentation – substance use begins innocently enough. It can be as simple as the college student that takes caffeine or diet pills to stay awake so they can study for an upcoming exam. Or maybe you were in a serious car accident and have to take painkillers.

Stage 2: misuse – this stage typically begins when you begin to feel that alcohol or drugs are the answer to your problems and the only way that you can relax. You “schedule” the times of the day that you will use the substance.

Stage 3: abuse – once you enter this stage, the negative consequences come to the forefront and hinder your daily functions and tasks. You stop caring about relationships with your spouse, family, loved ones, friends, and even your fellow employees. You start feeling that you cannot function and get through each day without using the substance.

Stage 4: dependency – by the time you enter this particular stage, you feel that taking the substance is the only way to ease your pain or stop the feelings of withdrawal that you experience once the effects have worn off. In other words, you are now dependent upon the substance you are using.

Let our addiction rehab facility help you overcome your addiction

If you feel that you are progressing through the stages of addiction or have already become dependent upon alcohol and/or drugs, it is time to consider entering an addiction treatment and recovery program in order to get the professional help that you need. Here at the Freedom Center we are aware that overcoming addiction involves much more than ridding your body of the substance you are addicted to as well as its residues and toxins.

We see our clients as students, not addicts or patients or victims of their own circumstances. That is why part of our program involves participating in numerous courses or programs and receiving numerous educational materials that function as effective recovery tools.

For more information about the Freedom Center and our addiction treatment and recovery programs, please contact us today at the toll-free phone number above.