From just casual to a problem: the progression of addiction

There are people who end up in rehab without fully understanding how they got there. One day, they took a drink or a pill, and weeks, months, or even years later, they find themselves in a detox program, getting ready to start therapy. It's a big leap from the first exposure to drugs or alcohol on the way to full-blown addiction.

To be very clear, all types of addiction are progressive by nature. They start with a single act and progress through a number of phases until rehab becomes the only way back to sanity. In the sections below, we want to take you on the journey that led you to where you are today, possibly dealing with an addiction issue. If any of this sounds familiar, it might motivate you to get treatment on the way to recovery.

The Signs of Addictions

As you contemplate where you stand today with your substance abuse, it's entirely possible you have doubts about whether or not you have an addiction problem. If that's the case, you can refer to the following signs of addiction to see where you stand. Note: While the signs of addiction can vary a little based on the substance, the following signs are generally applicable to most addictions:

• Increasing difficulty with maintaining personal and intimate relationships
• Problems with people and responsibilities at school or work
• Problems handling basic tasks like paying bills or cleaning the house
• Loss of interest in hobbies and recreational activities
• Ongoing financial problems
• Legal issues with law enforcement (DUI, robbery)
• Unkempt personal appearance

The 5 Phases of Addiction

To make it easier to understand the progression of addiction, we have broken it down into five phases. If you are reading this information, we can only assume you are nearing or in the last phase, looking for help.

Phase 1. First Exposure

For most people, the road to addiction starts innocently. It might be that first beer that tastes really good on a hot day or the pain medication the doctor prescribed. There is something about that first interaction that tantalizes some people. Maybe it's the memory of the first taste of good alcohol or the relaxed feeling the medication provided.

We would be remiss to not mention recreational drugs in this phase. A lot of recreational drug users get their start because a friend said, "Hey, try it."

Phase 2. Regular Use

Many times, it's the memory of their first use of a substance that leads to subsequent use. In the case of alcohol, it can be the taste, the high, or a combination of the two that drives someone to drink a little more often than occasionally. With prescription medication, it's often a matter of needing to continue using the medication for medical reasons.

As for recreational drug use, it's almost always the euphoria and escape from problems that drive users to escalate their use of their substance of choice.

Phase 3. Progression of Regular Use

When regular use progresses too far, people start taking risks. This is the point when drug or alcohol use starts to cause problems in the user's life. The body is not yet dependent on their substance of choice, but they begin falling into the habit of having too many drinks too often or taking too many pills too often. In the case of prescription medication, people simply start going against the doctor's instructions.

In this phase, the abuse of recreational drugs starts to take full flight. Since most recreational drugs are illegal, users have to work hard to buy their drugs of choice and hide their drug use.

Phase 4. Dependence

This is the point when drug or alcohol abuse crosses the line. The user's mind and body start craving the user's substance of choice. At times, the cravings can get so intense that the individual becomes irritable and willing to do anything to satisfy their cravings. The amount the user is using is increasing to dangerous levels, and personal problems start mounting.

Phase 5. Full Blown Addiction

If you read the signs of addiction above, this is the point when those kinds of issues kick in. If there is one thing you can point to as means for identifying that addiction is present, it would be the onset of withdrawal symptoms that come from periods of abstinence. It's those horrible symptoms that prompt people to use again in order to feel better.

After reading this information, you should have a better idea of where you currently stand. Regardless of which phase you have reached, addiction is coming. Before things go too far, our fine counselors here at Hollywood Hills Recovery can help you. All we need to get you started towards recovery is one simple phone call to one of our staff members.