05-18-2009, 02:05 PM
1. Early Stage Addiction
a. Characterized by an increase in tolerance and dependence.
b. People who are becoming addicted can use larger and larger quantities without becoming intoxicated or suffering harmful consequences.
c. As the body cells change to tolerate larger quantities of the chemical, even larger quantities are needed to achieve the same effect.
d. Difficult to distinguish addictive use from heavy non-addictive use because there are few outward symptoms.
e. Alcohol or drugs are used so frequently that the person comes to depend on them.
f. Use begins to seem normal; life without use begins to seem abnormal.
2. Middle Stage Addiction
a. Marked by a progressive loss of control.
b. It takes more alcohol or drugs to get high.
c. Increased quantities damage the liver, alter brain chemistry, and eventually, tolerance begins to decrease.
d. The drug is used to relieve the pain created by not using.
e. Physical, psychological, and social problems develop.
3. Chronic Stage Addiction
a. Marked by physical, psychological, behavioral, social, and spiritual deterioration.
b. All systems of the body can be affected.
c. Mood swings are common as the person uses the drug to feel better, but cannot maintain the good feelings.
d. There is less and less control over behavior.
e. Relationships are damaged.
f. The person loses touch with a higher power and with a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
g. Life is consumed with the need to use.
a. Characterized by an increase in tolerance and dependence.
b. People who are becoming addicted can use larger and larger quantities without becoming intoxicated or suffering harmful consequences.
c. As the body cells change to tolerate larger quantities of the chemical, even larger quantities are needed to achieve the same effect.
d. Difficult to distinguish addictive use from heavy non-addictive use because there are few outward symptoms.
e. Alcohol or drugs are used so frequently that the person comes to depend on them.
f. Use begins to seem normal; life without use begins to seem abnormal.
2. Middle Stage Addiction
a. Marked by a progressive loss of control.
b. It takes more alcohol or drugs to get high.
c. Increased quantities damage the liver, alter brain chemistry, and eventually, tolerance begins to decrease.
d. The drug is used to relieve the pain created by not using.
e. Physical, psychological, and social problems develop.
3. Chronic Stage Addiction
a. Marked by physical, psychological, behavioral, social, and spiritual deterioration.
b. All systems of the body can be affected.
c. Mood swings are common as the person uses the drug to feel better, but cannot maintain the good feelings.
d. There is less and less control over behavior.
e. Relationships are damaged.
f. The person loses touch with a higher power and with a sense of purpose and meaning in life.
g. Life is consumed with the need to use.