Addiction is a topic that most people think they understand, but in reality, it is much more complex than it seems. Many people wrongly believe that to recover from addiction, all a person has to do is decide to stop using drugs and stick to that decision. However, medical and therapeutic research has now shown that addiction is a very complex disorder that incorporates physical, behavioral, and emotional elements and requires professional treatment in a drug or alcohol detox program. For people struggling with addiction and their loved ones, it is crucial to understand the cycle of addiction so that the person who is trying to recover will have the right kind of support.
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, our drug and alcohol detox program give people the tools they need to break the cycle of addiction and begin their addiction recovery. Discover more about how our programs can help you or a loved one overcome addiction from our team today by calling 800.263.3869 or filling out our online form. Our Pines Recovery Life Detox team is ready to guide you or someone you care about through the stages of addiction and into recovery.
The Stages of Addiction
Addiction is not a single state of using drugs or alcohol, but rather a collection of stages that a person will move through, sometimes many times, as they progress in their disorder. Even when the person feels committed to stopping drugs or drinking, without the help of a treatment program, they may still find themselves at the mercy of their addiction.
The stages of addiction include:
- Initial use-The person tries the substance and begins using it casually and occasionally.
- Abuse-The substance becomes a way for the person to cope with or avoid life’s issues.
- Tolerance-Now, using the substance becomes less effective, and more is needed to gain the same effects as previously experienced.
- Dependence-The person begins relying on the substance to feel “normal,” and the body begins to acclimate to the substance.
- Addiction-The substance becomes central to everyday life, and the person realizes that they cannot stop without experiencing withdrawal.
- Relapse-The person attempts to stop using the substance without success, sometimes even going back to the substance after a period of sobriety.
Understanding the Person Within the Addiction Cycle
Even though it seems like it would be simple to just stop using drugs or drinking, there are many elements that feed into the disorder of addiction. In order to stop the cycle, the person within the cycle must be healed physically and emotionally so that the addiction will not have an easy time returning. For this reason, a person who is battling addiction will benefit from attending a drug and alcohol detox program, residential substance abuse treatment, and transitioning into a sober living program. It takes support and accountability, as well as an environment that is dedicated to recovery, in order for a person to gain the upper hand with addiction. People who are in recovery need not only professional help but also the support of family and peers who understand and uphold their commitment to recovery.
It’s Never Too Late for Recovery
Just because someone has tried to quit drugs or drinking before without success does not mean that future attempts to quit will fail. Addiction is a complex disorder with many elements. Everyone’s recovery journey is different, so trying again is always an option. The most important thing needed to be successful is the willingness to keep trying. A friend or family member struggling with addiction should always be encouraged to keep pursuing recovery because there is always hope for success.
Break the Cycle of Addiction with Support from Pines Recovery Life Detox
If addiction is a battle that you or a loved one have been fighting, you don’t have to fight alone. Reach out to a drug or alcohol treatment program today. If you are in South Florida, contact our kind and compassionate staff by completing our online form or calling 800.263.3869. Our facility, Pines Recovery Life Detox in Pembroke Pines, Florida, can help set you back on the path to health and wellness.
