What Are The 6 Stages Of Addiction?

By Author: Care Addiction
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It takes time to become addicted to drugs. It is not only the drugs that are addictive but also the lifestyle that goes with it. Often, friends and family members feel powerless in acknowledging this process due to the denial from the addict themselves.

There are six stages that are described when someone is becoming addicted to drugs.

If you or a loved one uses drugs or alcohol, knowing the six stages of addiction can help determine whether help is needed. Addiction treatment centers can safely and effectively treat any stage of addiction – from detox to long-term recovery.

Here is a closer look at the 6 stages and how you can break the cycle.

1. Initial Use: 
In this stage an individual is trying out drugs or alcohol for the first time. This may start in high school, or college.

2. Experimentation.
In this stage an individual is repeating use of substances that have been previously tried without the immediate consequence of addiction. Blackouts and even alcohol poisoning occurs in this stage as individuals become aware of the amount ...
... they can handle.

3. Regular Use.
Regular use is when there starts to be a schedule to the drinking or use - when it goes beyond just a Friday night thing and maybe it has turned into a few days a week.

4. Dependence.
Dependence on a substance can be a physical dependence or psychological dependence. For example, and individual might drink more to alleviate shakes or withdrawals, or be hiding or lying about the drug or alcohol use.

5. Addiction.
Substance use becomes an addiction when a person is obsessed with or focused on the substance to the extent that it cannot be controlled even if the person suffers adverse consequences such as major impairments in life with work, family, or financial situations related to substance use. 

6. Treatment.
Care Addiction can assist at any stage of addiction. We provide individualized care which is tailored to individual needs by providing tools and evidenced based practices for an individual to achieve lasting sobriety. It is never too late to start treatment.

If you or a loved one need help for an addiction and want to know more about treatment programs, feel free to contact us.

Care Addiction Center provides compassionate, confidential & professional treatment services for adults suffering from alcohol & substance abuse. We believe that recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction is possible, even in very late stages. Our experienced and caring staff is dedicated to providing comprehensive drug treatment services for alcoholism and substance abuse with multiple levels of care. Substance Abuse Treatment for Kane County, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, Elburn, South Elgin, West Chicago, and Aurora Illinois.