Phases of Addiction
1st Phase of Addiction: trying the substance for the first time.
First Use/Experimental
One of the most frequent types of distress resulting from addiction; an ongoing state of sadness involving the inability to concentrate, inactivity, etc.
Depression
Stage 1: DENIAL.
During this stage, a person often isn’t aware that their behavior is a problem or doesn’t have a strong desire to make a change.
PRECONTEMPLATION
A strong desire to consume a particular substance
CRAVING
You can “sober up” with a pot of coffee or a cold shower.
FALSE: Time is the only thing that will make you sober again. Your body has to process the alcohol. It typically takes about an hour to process one unit (12 fl oz of beer, 8 fl oz malt liquor, 5 fl oz wine, 2 fl oz liqueur, 1.5 fl oz brandy, 1.5 fl oz shot of distilled spirits.)
2nd Phase of Addiction: beginning to display a pattern.
Sometimes this may be use only on the weekends or just at night while spending time with friends.
Regular Use
A state of being drugged or poisoned; results from abuse of alcohol, barbiturates, toxic drugs, etc.
Intoxication
Stage 2: THINKING ABOUT IT.
When a person reaches this stage of addiction recovery, they may begin to see that their addictive behaviors need to change.
CONTEMPLATION
One’s failure to either admit or realize his or her addiction or to recognize and accept the harm it can cause
DENIAL
A binge is defined as four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men within 2 hours. Most binge drinkers have a pattern of indulging in high amounts of alcohol. However, it must happen several times before it is considered a binge.
FALSE.
However, even if it only happens once, it is still a binge.
3rd Phase of Addiction: exhibiting dangerous behavior.
Example: Driving while drunk or high
Risky Use
Opium-like substances produced by the brain; natural painkillers
Endorphins
Stage 3: LET'S GET READY!
After a person realizes they want to make a change, they typically start to put a plan into place.
PREPARATION
Social, environmental or emotional situations that remind people in recovery of their past drug or alcohol use
TRIGGERS
In 2014, the DEA took over 74 million joints from the US public.
TRUE: In 2014, the DEA seized over 163,638 lbs of domestic cannabis. That’s the equivalent of 72,226,196 one-gram joints.
4th Phase of Addiction: developed a tolerance
And, going without the substance for a certain amount of time can induce withdrawal symptoms, such as muscle cramps, vomiting or fevers. Cravings for the substance, both physical and psychological, can be intense.
Dependence
Withdrawal symptoms after initial acute withdrawal
Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)
Stage 4: DOING THE DANG THING.
For people struggling with drug or alcohol misuse, this may be entering detox, going to rehab or attending group support meetings. For people who are trying to moderate their substance use, they may make smaller changes to their daily routines or habits.
ACTION
One’s return to a negative behavior
RECIDIVISM (relapse)
Due to crystal meth use, over 50% of Iceland’s population believe in the existence of elves.
FALSE: It is not due to the use crystal meth. LOL!
5th and Final Phase of Addiction: withdrawal symptoms set it without the substance
Cravings for the substance, both physical and psychological, can be intense.
Substance Use Disorder
A chemical produced naturally by the body; functions in the brain as a neurotransmitter to provide feelings of well-being
Dopamine
Stage 5: KEEP ON KEEPING ON.
This could be continuing to practice the new behaviors a person learned during treatment, attending support groups, continuing therapy or counseling and/or remaining abstinent from using substances.
MAINTENANCE
Helping an addicted person do things they can or should be doing for themselves; causes disease progression
ENABLING
Fentanyl is five times more potent than heroin and ten times more potent than morphine.
FALSE: Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine