Substance abuse is a complex issue that doesn’t just come and go. It impacts millions of people, all of whom have their own unique stories of how they got started with the abuse and the challenges in overcoming the disease. Overcoming substance abuse is one of the most difficult challenges anyone can face. The physical and mental hurdles needed to overcome can be an intense grip addiction has on someone who requires professional addiction treatment. Knowing the cycle of addiction and the 4 stages of substance abuse can help people suffering from the disease identify potential problems when trying to stop to help them overcome the addiction.
What Is The Cycle Of Addiction?
The cycle of addiction involves three stages, including binge/intoxication, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation, according to The National Library of Medicine. Unfortunately, this cycle typically worsens over time as it alters the brain’s reward, stress, and executive function systems, making the user physically and mentally rely on the drug.
The first stage of binge/intoxication involves when the user begins to experiment with the drug. They may try a substance for the first time, usually in a social setting or out of curiosity, to feel the drug’s effects. It may start off as harmless, but as the use continues, the person begins to use the substance more frequently, which begins to alter how the mind and body perceive the drug. As they begin to associate positive experiences with drug use, the cycle of addiction starts as their use increases.
The next stage involves withdrawal/adverse effects. The user has become physically dependent on the drug. Without consistent use, they begin to experience withdrawal, which can include flu-like symptoms such as vomiting, body aches, chills, and fevers. At this point, drug detox is the only way for the user to overcome the physical addiction, which needs to be conducted in a professional addiction treatment center.
The preoccupation/anticipation stage occurs after a period of abstinence from the drug. The length of stoppage can vary, but it can involve only a few hours for intense substance abusers. During the abstinence, the user is preoccupied with using the substance again, which is commonly known as “craving.” When this occurs, the person’s reward system in their brain has been negatively altered. They have difficulty processing emotions and making good decisions, which often causes the addiction to worsen to life-threatening.
Can The Cycle Of Addiction Be Broken?
While addiction is a disease, it can be treated, and with professional help, users can break the cycle of addiction. When someone is in the cycle of addiction, they need to overcome the mental and physical aspects of addiction. Often, many users are experiencing a dual diagnosis, where they are dealing with substance abuse and a co-occurring disorder, which complicates the chance of recovery. When suffering from substance abuse and a mental illness at the same time, professional addiction treatment is the best course of action to overcome the issues.
At Muse Treatment Center’s Los Angeles drug treatment center, we provide treatment to tackle both conditions at the same time so users can overcome the root cause of their addiction.
While professional addiction treatment is the best method for overcoming addiction, relapse can still occur. If it does happen, it’s not a failure of the person or the treatment. The cycle of addiction is complicated to overcome, and treatment will need to be adjusted, or additional support is required throughout the process.
What Are The Four C’s Of The Addiction Cycle?
Knowing the four C’s of addiction can help the user better understand how their addiction started and how the addiction cycle works to overcome the disease. The four C’s are:
- Compulsion involves the intense urge to use the drug. As addiction worsens, the compulsion and urge to use becomes stronger, making the user feel like their use is uncontrollable.
- Craving is similar to compulsion as it deals with the mental and physical side of using the substance. Cravings can be triggered by stress or emotional trauma.
- Control involves the inability to manage drug use. Even if the person knows they shouldn’t take the drug, the loss of control will often lead to them taking it more often for longer periods than they had planned.
- Consequences will happen with the continued use of a substance, and they will not be positive. Consequences may include health problems, job loss, legal issues, financial difficulties, or damaged relationships.
When a user understands how the four C’s in the cycle of addiction impact them personally, it can help them recognize the signs of addiction and understand the challenges involved in breaking the cycle.
How Muse Treatment Can Help Break The Cycle Of Addiction
Muse Treatment Center offers a professional drug addiction treatment center with the ideal environment to break the cycle of addiction. Our treatment programs involve tackling the physical and mental side of addiction. Our patients can overcome the physical hold of addiction in our professional detox facility, where they can be safely monitored throughout the process. After overcoming the withdrawal process, they can then begin tackling the mental side of our addiction treatment programs. Patients can learn the root causes of their addiction to help avoid the same scenarios that led to the addiction in the first place. They also develop coping skills to better manage the difficult times when a craving begins to occur. We also provide support groups and outpatient treatment so our patients can continuously receive the support needed to remain sober. This all-encompassing approach to addiction is the key to breaking the cycle of addiction.
Call Us Today to Overcome the 4 Stages of Substance Abuse
Addiction recovery takes time and effort, and it never truly ends. The 4 stages of substance abuse are never easy to overcome without professional addiction treatment. Regardless of what addiction stage is occurring, Muse Treatment Center is ready to help you or a loved one overcome the cycle of addiction today. We treat each of our patients individually so they can receive the personalized care needed to overcome this immense challenge. To receive the best individual treatment needed to overcome addiction in a professional facility, please call Muse Treatment Center at 800-426-1818 to learn more about how we can help break the cycle of addiction today.
External Sources
- National Library of Medicine — The Neurobiology of Substance Use, Misuse, and Addiction
- National Institute on Drug Abuse — Treatment and Recovery
- Pride Institute — What Are the Four C’s of Addiction?
