The Cycle of Addiction and How It Can Be Broken

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1. Initial Use and Experimentation

cycle of addiction Leah’s 21^st birthday was her initial use or initial exposure. Research indicates that earlier exposure to substances dramatically increases the risk of addiction. Adolescents whose first exposure to substances happens before the age of 15 are at a significantly higher risk for addiction than their peers.

Experimentation is often seen at this stage of the addiction cycle.

Experimentation often involves seeking out the substance for its pleasurable effects of intoxication or as “a fix” for a problem, like pain or anxiety. At this stage, the person remains in control of their substance use, but the amount and frequency of use may increase quickly.

2. Misuse

Many people can use prescription or recreational substances—like alcohol— without becoming trapped in the cycle of addiction. However, using any illegal substance (street drugs) or misusing legal ones (alcohol) goes beyond experimentation. This pattern of harmful or excessive use is often referred to as substance abuse or misuse.

Leah’s use of alcohol went beyond experimentation quickly. She began to use alcohol in place of medication to help her sleep and as a mental health “treatment” for her anxiety. She began engaging in bingeing and heavy drinking.

Binge drinking is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women in the same sitting on at least 1 day in a month.
Heavy drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as more than 14 drinks per week for men and more than 7 drinks per week for women. SAMHSA further defines heavy drinking as binge drinking on 5 or more days in a month.

At this stage, people may use substances to relieve physical or emotional pain. They may also continue to use despite any negative effects on their personal or work life, as well as on their physical and mental health.

3. Tolerance and Substance Dependence

As Leah consumed more and more alcohol, she found that it took greater amounts to produce the desired effects. She began to feel like she needed alcohol to function.

At this stage in the cycle of addiction, chemical changes occur in the brain and body. When the amount of substance a person uses is no longer enough to give them the same high, they need to increase the amount they consume and the frequency of use. This is called tolerance. And as they continue, they become physically and mentally dependent on the drug.

4. Addiction

When tolerance becomes addiction, substance use becomes compulsive. Using continues despite clear harm and stopping leads to withdrawal symptoms.

Some people can conceal their addiction or remain in denial for a time. Others begin to experience profound issues clearly linked to substance misuse, including health problems, relationship strain or difficulty maintaining employment. As was the case for Leah.

5. Withdrawal and Sobriety

Once she lost her job, Leah was forced to admit she had a problem. She tried to quit drinking and didn’t seek any professional support. She relied on her own willpower to quit drinking. No rehab. No counseling. No peer support.

She quickly began to experience withdrawal symptoms. She didn’t know how to deal with the withdrawal symptoms or the triggers she faced daily. Because of her discomfort, she wanted to drink more. She achieved brief sobriety, but was not able to sustain it.

Many people need detox services, addiction treatment, peer support (from groups like Alcoholics Anonymous), social support and other external resources to maintain long-term sobriety. This often includes learning how to deal with the possibility and reality of relapse.

6. Relapse

Leah’s attempt at recovery resulted in relapse. She returned to her drinking habit.

Without the right support and treatment, it can be very difficult to maintain sobriety. A critical part of addiction treatment is developing a relapse prevention plan that helps you deal with potential triggers, lapses (e.g., having one drink) and relapses when they happen.

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Keys to Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

It’s difficult to break the cycle of addiction, but it’s not impossible.

Like Leah, many people find themselves back where they started. They enter the cycle of addiction again—or find themselves back in a previous stage—after they thought they’d “recovered.”

To break the cycle, three things are key:

#1 Knowledge

Psychoeducation is often a fundamental part of addiction treatment. It’s important to understand how addiction works, what treatment options are available and what you’re experiencing in your recovery journey.

#2 Insight

General knowledge won’t be enough. A person also has to have insight into their own addiction. What triggers their use? What new coping mechanisms do they need to put in place to avoid relapse? How has addiction impacted their behavior and relationships?

#3 Support

Recovery is not a solo endeavor. Social support is linked to higher rates of treatment entry, increased treatment engagement and positive recovery outcomes. Support can come from friends and family, peer groups, counselors, a treatment program, transitional housing and other resources. This long-term and ongoing support is key to preventing re-entering the cycle and to truly break free from addiction.

If you feel caught in the cycle of addiction, help is available. Call 800-948-8417 Sponsored now to learn about alcohol addiction treatment options.