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NCADD
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
THE ADDICTION CYCLE
100
Kids who start drinking alcohol at age 15 are 5 times more likely to develop alcohol abuse or dependence than people who first used alcohol at age 21 or older. A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine showed that 47% of those who began drinking before age 15 experienced alcohol dependence at some point in their life, compared to 9% of those who began drinking at age 21 or older.
What is Why is age of first use of alcohol so critically important?
100
When the brain is stimulated, the addict's response begins with a thought about using. Addicts use for every reason plus the need to use. Examples of triggering factors may include boredom, a fight with a spouse, financial concerns, viewing the drug of choice on T.V. or stepping into a house that you may enter, going on vacation to a place that you have gone while you were in your active addiction, or running into a using buddy. These and many other stimuli can kick-start this process. The internal dialogue that preoccupies the mind can completely entrance the addict. When the addict is lost in obsessive thought during this phase of the addiction cycle, relationships suffer, and work and family responsibilities are neglected. What is phase one of the addiction cycle?
What is Preoccupation?
200
It is a big fat No. And, research and experience show that the younger someone starts using alcohol and drugs, the greater the chance they will become addicted.
What is Can a person be too young to become addicted to alcohol or drugs?
200
The preoccupation phase feeds into the second phase of the addiction cycle. A second phase is a set of actions performed mainly for their symbolic and emotional value. The purpose of the second phase is extremely diverse, and can include, To satisfy the spiritual or emotional needs of religious practitioners. To strengthen social bonds. To demonstrate respect, dominance, or submission. To demonstrate ones affiliation. To obtain acceptance of approval for some events. Or sometimes just for the pleasure of the action itself. The second phase can also be thought of as habits or behaviors that are automatic. The second phase becomes deeply ingrained within the fabric of the repetition and habitual use. The second phase of addiction.
What is Rituals?
300
As a teen you should be concerned about alcohol and all of the other drugs, legal and illegal. Recently there has been a significant increase in the non-medical use of prescription pain drugs among young people. In fact after marijuana, the next three most commonly used drugs are the non-medical use of prescription pain medications: Vicodin, Oxycontin and Adderall.
What is Should I be concerned about prescription drugs when the "real problem" is the illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine?
300
After the addict spends more time moving through preoccupation and the rituals phase, the third phase moves into actual use, but at some point the third phase is where use occurs. The third phase use does not necessarily mean that the addict uses daily, for example. He or she may have one or two drinks a night for days or even weeks at a time, but then the dam breaks. This translates into the inability to stop, stay stopped, or predicts what will happen once drug use has started. The third phase can lead to unpredictable behaviors, which will most likely lead to negative consequences. What is the third phase of the addiction cycle?
What is Compulsive Use?
400
As a family disease, those who have been affected by addiction may take years to recover, as they rebuild and stabilize their lives, independent of what the alcohol and drug addicted family member does. Without question, it can seem overwhelming, but it helps to keep in mind that commitment to the recovery process is also a commitment to the overall well being of the whole family. Constructive and active family engagement in the recovery process is essential if the family is to heal from the destructive impact of addiction. To move on in hope, families need a variety of supports.
What is Recovery from addiction, Is it a family affair?
400
The avoidance mechanisms of addiction works for a time. But it then leads to greater pain and even more. This is the last phase. Negative consequences begin to build. Such as -Lower bank account -Tumultuous relationships -Police record -The break down of the medicine wheel. The fourth phase continues through a cycle of undesirable emotions and it goes on and on and on. What is the final stage of the addiction cycle?
What is Despair?
500
The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are serious issues that should not be ignored or minimized and we should not sit back and hope they go away. A family member might be abusing alcohol and drugs if: There are physical and health warning signs, behavioral signs, psychological signs.
What are Warning Signs?
500
This is a brain disease and habit forming process that creates negative behavioral, psychological, emotional, and spiritual consequences. It is activated over time in response to the interplay among the agent, host, and environment. Once addiction has been activated, there is a set of disease defining behaviors and a specific brain dysfunction in the mesolimbic dopamine system.
What is Addiction Defined?