How does someone start out using an addictive substance or behavior casually and eventually become a full-blown addict. The answer can be found in the stages of addiction.
If you really understood the stages of addiction and how they progress, it would be a far greater priority to stop addiction in its early stages before it takes control. Don’t you agree?
Stages of Addiction and How They Progress
Stage 1 – MILD
In the first stage of addiction, we really aren’t even discussing addiction. Rather, what might become an addiction is providing temporary relief or is just plain fun. When you go out for a couple of drinks with friends on Friday after work, most people would not consider it an addiction. If you find it easy to stop consuming alcohol after 2 or 3 drinks, then you probably don’t have a problem. The would-be addict doesn’t stop with a couple of drinks. They keep the party going well past the point where the right decision would have clearly been to stop.
Stage 2 – MODERATE
As the potential for developing an addiction increases, it becomes necessary to moderate addictive behavior. In our example above, you might recognize that you are consuming too much alcohol too often. You decide to moderate your behavior by limiting yourself to one night out every week along with a 3 drink maximum. This is a turning point for many. If you find that you are regularly going out more than one night every week, consuming more than your drink limit, moderation obviously isn’t working. This stage of addiction is typically coupled with excuses and denial.
Stage 3 – SEVERE
The third stage of addiction, any attempt to stop the addictive behavior is met with withdrawal symptoms and/or cravings. The withdrawal symptoms could be severe and life threatening if they aren’t managed properly. Brad Pitt attempted to stop smoking and, in a media interview, shared that he was homicidal. I think that’s worse than feeling suicidal which is not uncommon. At this point, the addict will admit to feeling like they have very little control over their behavior or choices. The addictive behavior or substance has hijacked the brain and it is likely to be an uncomfortable journey to take back control.
Many people find that they can’t go back to Stage 1 or 2 after they’ve progressed all the way to Stage 3. For these people, the only way to deal with addiction is complete abstinence. Of course, abstinence isn’t an option with many addictions. While you can completely eliminate alcohol consumption, you can’t stop eating for example.
The best way to deal with addiction is to understand the stages of addiction and make sure you reverse course at the first signs of moving from Stage 1 to Stage 2.
What have you done to manage a behavior that might have progressed to an addiction? We can stop addiction with awareness so please comment, like and share.
