Stages of Use and Dependency

Nobody starts out to become an addict. Every individual who uses drugs or alcohol begins with experimental use. As a result, some decide to continue. These individuals move into the second stage, which is often called "social use" in our society. Many people remain at this stage but others progress to more problematic or harmful use.

While it is uncertain why some people become addicted to alcohol and other drugs, and others do not, it is believed that genetic, psychological, and environmental factors play a role. Such people cannot safely use drugs or alcohol, even socially. These individuals begin using alcohol or drugs in place of normal coping skills. This leads to more frequent abuse and puts the individual on a path towards addiction or alcoholism.

The commonly recognized stages of substance abuse and chemical dependency are:

Experimental Use

• Curiosity about chemical effects
• Excitement about doing something new and different
• Excitement because it may be wrong or bad for you
• Learns that a good feeling can be produced by using substances
• Occasional to infrequent use
• Uses at parties, under peer pressure, or on weekends
• Easy to get drunk or high, due to a lack of built-up tolerance
• Believes that euphoria happens every time — trusts the effects
• Controls the frequency of use
• Regulates quantity to control mood swings
• No adverse behavioral effects detected
• Substance has not yet interfered with lifestyle

Social Use

• Actively seek “high” (good feelings) through planned use
• Planned use involves buying substances
• Tolerance begins to be developed — need more for same effect
• Use may still be controlled and the effect is anticipated
• Uses substance only at appropriate times and places
• Develops self-imposed rules, i.e. Not before 5:00, Not around family
• May suffer some slight problems, such as hangovers

Substance Abuse

• Increase in frequency of use
• Using to get drunk/loaded/smashed/wasted
• Sometimes uses when alone
• Increase in quantity
• Lifestyle changes — may rearrange life to use more
• Uses to cope with feelings, such as anger, guilt, fear, or anxiety
• Sneaky about getting, using, and hiding substance
• May be irritable or become angry easily
• Rationalizes behavior to avoid responsibility
• Attributes problems to other people, things or circumstances
• Experiences consequences, i.e. relationships, work, money
• May give up other interests and activities
• Self-esteem decreases

Chemical Dependency

• Significantly more needed to achieve desired effect
• Uses substance to feel normal and avoid pain
• Blackouts
• Desire to use the substance becomes most important
• Loses interest in most other activities
• Demonstrates lying patterns — value system changes
• Loss of control, i.e. arrests, theft, prostitution
• Physical and health problems
• Paranoid thinking and fear of insanity
• Feels very alone and isolated
• Loss of desire to live — may have suicidal thoughts
• Withdrawl
• Continued use in spite of harmful consequences
• Increased time spent obtaining, using, or recovering from use
• Unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use

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