Life Cycle of an Addict
This is the life cycle of an addict. Some people can have a few drinks and it stops there, or they can pull a slot machine and it’s no big deal. But for an addict, this is a proven cycle, and it’s a terrible thing that they’re up against. It doesn’t happen fast like in a D.A.R.E. cartoon; these stages may take years to complete, so that an addict does not see what they’ve done to themselves until it is too late.
- A problem is perceived with no solution by a normal person. This can be anything from getting fired from a job to just being a dork (not fitting in) as a kid. The main thing is it puts the person in a state of continued discomfort from which they see no easy escape.
- Drugs (I’m including alcohol in that statement) become the solution. They offer short-term relief from feelings of discomfort. This is the difference between the addict and a non-addict. They turn to something that provides a synthetic feeling of well-being as opposed to coming up with a solution. A real solution may be something they don’t want to face or they don’t seek out of plain laziness, but it may also be something they truly do not see.
- Some call it “puppy-love”, but it’s a fact of drug use that most users will always be chasing that first high again. The initial problem/solution scenario fades away as they become obsessive with their high. As drug use escalates, interference with their normal life becomes a nuisance to their high, not a dangerous warning sign. Horrible consequences to the user’s health, and those around them are ignored.
- The body adapts to the presence of the drugs making the first high less and less attainable. Many important mental factors can influence this stage, such as feelings of guilt and shame which can lead to self-isolation from the very network that could lend help, such as family and non-user friends.
- Drugs are now being sought for two reasons: the dwindling pleasure of a high and avoidance of mental and/or physical withdrawal.
- Eventually the high is gone, as the user has been changed physically and mentally by the drug. At this point they’re taking the drug just to function and avoid withdrawl symtpoms. This is the final act of a downward spiral that leads to death, suicide and all other manner of permanently life-altering consequences of drug use. Unless they get help.
Technorati Tags: drugs, addiciton, help, life cycle
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POSTED IN: Prevention, Treatment, Your Body, Your Mind
1 opinion for Life Cycle of an Addict
mildweed
Nov 3, 2006 at 9:14 am
My caffeine addiction had better not lead to death or suicide.
Stupid caffeine, such a gateway drug ;)
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