The Cycle of Addiction: Where Do You Fall?

The cycle of addiction includes stages that you progress through. Here are those stages:

Initial Phase

The addiction cycle begins with the initial use of drugs or alcohol. During the initial stages, substances provide positive reinforcement. They trigger the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, leading to pleasurable feelings, relaxation, or relief from stress. These positive experiences encourage you to repeat the behavior.

Abuse Phase

Over time, you may escalate your substance use, meaning you increase how often you use substances or how much of the substances you use so you can feel the same or more pleasure. You may begin trying more powerful and dangerous substances or combining drugs and alcohol. Someone who drinks may begin smoking cigarettes or may try a drug like cocaine. Someone who uses prescription drugs like Adderall to study may try a drug like crystal meth to feel the same energetic and euphoric effects.

This is also the phase where people generally begin seeing negative consequences of drug and alcohol use. These consequences affect various aspects of life, including health, relationships, finances, work, and legal status. Despite these consequences, you continue to use the substance.

You may also see your tolerance to drugs and alcohol grow during this phase because your brain has adjusted to the substance in your system.

Physical Dependence

One of the defining features of addiction is the loss of control. You find it more difficult to control your use. You may want to quit or cut back but struggle to do so, often making unsuccessful attempts. This is indicative of a physical dependence on a substance. Cravings are another sign of physical dependence. As your addiction develops, your cravings become more difficult to ignore. They are intense desires or urges to use the substance.

Other signs of dependence can include:

• Relationship or family problems
• Spending more time trying to get your substance of choice
• Using the substance in inappropriate places
• Doing fewer of the social activities you used to enjoy
• Not keeping up with your day-to-day responsibilities because of substance use
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms if you try to quit

Recovery and Relapse

Once you realize you have a problem with addiction, you may try to stop using. When you stop, you may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms contribute to the cycle of addiction by driving people to use alcohol or drugs again to reduce discomfort.

Relapse is when you return to substance use after a period of abstinence. It’s a common part of the addiction cycle and happens because of cravings, stress, social pressure, or exposure to triggers associated with your addiction.

The cycle of addiction continues to repeat itself—a pattern of positive reinforcement, negative consequences, loss of control, cravings, withdrawal, and relapse.

How to Break the Cycle of Addiction

Breaking the cycle of addiction can be a challenge. It often involves professional substance abuse treatment, behavioral therapy, support from loved ones, and a commitment to making positive changes. Recognizing the stages of the cycle and developing strategies to manage cravings, cope with stress, and address the underlying causes of addiction are essential to achieving and maintaining recovery.

Here are some steps for breaking the cycle of addiction:

1. Recognize the problem: The first step in breaking the cycle of addiction is acknowledging that you have a problem. This self-awareness is crucial for motivating change.
2. Seek professional help: Reach out to a healthcare professional or addiction specialist who can assess your situation. They can guide you to the most appropriate treatment options. Treatment may involve therapy, counseling, medication, or a combination of these.
3. Build a support system: Surround yourself with a supportive network of friends and family who understand your goals. They can provide emotional support. Consider joining support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for peer support.
4. Identify triggers: Recognize the situations, emotions, and people that trigger cravings or the urge to engage in addictive behaviors. Avoid or develop coping strategies for these triggers.
5. Develop coping skills: Learn healthy coping skills to deal with stress, anxiety, and negative emotions without resorting to substance use. Mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and relaxation techniques can be helpful.
6. Set goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for your recovery. Having concrete objectives can motivate you and provide a sense of purpose.

Why Do People Use Drugs and Alcohol?

People engage in drug and alcohol abuse for different reasons. There’s no single cause or factor that leads to addiction. The most common risk factors revolve around mental illness, pleasure-seeking, and genetics.

Some common reasons people use drugs and alcohol include:

• Pleasure and fun: Many use drugs and alcohol to experience feelings of euphoria, relaxation, or excitement. They also help many people feel more open and comfortable in social situations.
• Self-medication: Some people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with underlying mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma. When you struggle with both a mental health disorder and addiction, you have co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis).
• Peer pressure: Some people feel pressured by friends or family to use substances, or they think that abstaining will keep them out of groups they want to be part of.  
• Genetic factors: Some people are genetically predisposed to substance use.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to an environment where people abuse substances can influence drug and alcohol use.