What are the stages leading to addiction?
Generally described for both drugs and alcohol, there are five stages of addiction:
- Experimentation-use of drugs or alcohol is voluntary and occasional; a person has control over when and where they use, and they can usually quit independently
- Regular use-use of drugs or alcohol may become more regular or daily, and the person often drinks alone
- Problem use-at this stage a person begins to suffer the negative effects of their substance use, such problems with relationships, job attendance and performance, DUIs, health, and legal problems
- Dependence-at this stage the person no longer cares whether negative effects occur or not, and there may be a tolerance to the drug and withdrawal symptoms when drugs or alcohol amounts are reduced
- Addiction-at this stage a person is no longer able to control any aspect of their problem, and their lives revolve around drug and/or alcohol use; negative physical and mental changes become more apparent
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