With enough time, we change as individuals. However, these changes are brought upon by several factors, including our environment and experiences. ¹

Due to these factors, there are distinct changes to look out for when someone develops a substance abuse disorder.

Have you noticed suspicious changes in someone you love? Have you begun using illicit substances and are afraid you’re developing an addiction? Throughout this blog, we’re going to learn about the stages of addiction.

Stage One: Pre-Contemplation

The earliest signals of addiction are pre-contemplation. This is when a user begins to realize the consequences of their drug or alcohol use but justifies continuing in their use.

In many cases, this justification is that of self-medication. Many people who suffer from both physical and mental illnesses feel the need to medicate themselves to ease symptoms. ²

If drugs or alcohol makes you feel better for a short period and that’s your reason to continue, then you are currently in the earliest stage of addiction. For these reasons, you may also feel little desire to make any changes in your habit.

If you’re an outside observer, you may notice your loved one taking life less seriously. As though they go about their responsibilities in a daze and with little to no care.

It’s important to remember that during this early stage, people will still have the capability of maintaining responsibility.

Stage Two: Contemplation

At this point, the consequences of addiction have become more severe. Still, you may continue to make justifications.

One of the most common is the claim to quit for a change later in life. For example, you may make a goal of quitting by a certain age or when you get something you want (i.e. a college degree or the right job). Whatever the case may be, you continue to see drugs or alcohol as more of a benefit.

Still, during this stage, you’ll begin to realize that sometimes the consequences override the benefits. These consequences can come in a few different forms, such as not having enough money or failing to complete an important responsibility.

Outside observers may notice some changes, but it’s important to understand that these changes are gradually developing. Therefore, they may not be so obvious.

Some obvious things to keep an eye out for are whether or not your loved one is hanging out with a new group of friends, going to places where drug use is prominent, and asking for money. ³

Stage Three: Preparation

In trouble due to drug addiction? At this stage, you start making preparations for treatment. If you don’t realize this, the addiction will override you and take over your life. This process could take anywhere from days to months, but there’s very little wiggle room outside these two possibilities.

Still, that’s not to say it isn’t possible to help everyone. Instead, what we’re saying is some people will realize their problem with addiction while others need a bit of an extra push to come to this realization.

The realization is made once you understand that you hold responsibility for your choices. And that you’re the only one who can change your own life.

If you’re just starting to understand this, you must begin to gather resources that can help you through the recovery process. These can include:

• 12 step meetings
• Drug and alcohol addiction treatment
• Therapeutic intervention
• Other sober supports

Stage Four: Taking Action

After you realize the necessity for change, you’ll begin to take action. This includes doing things to incorporate positive emotional, mental, and physical changes.

As to what these changes are will vary from person to person. Just as drug or alcohol addiction affects everyone differently, so does the process of recovery. ⁴

There are a few points of interest that are common in helping people overcome addiction. These include:

• Dietary change
• Fitness plan
• Getting involved in the community
• Participating in recovery groups
• Renting space in a sober living home

During this time, an outside observer will notice significant and positive changes in their loved one’s behavior.

Stage Five: Maintaining Sobriety

One of the most difficult aspects of addiction recovery is avoiding relapse. For many who go through treatment, they leave still feeling as though there’s a void within their spirit. As though they haven’t really changed, but simply sobered up. ⁵

People who are disciplined about beating addiction will not come face-to-face with this issue. But some will be tempted into taking a substance again.

If you are concerned loved one, you can see whether or not the person struggling with addiction is relapsing (or on the verge of relapsing) if they’re giving into old or new bad habits. These include:

• Bottling up emotions
• Focusing on others (mainly, how others affect them)
• Going to recovery meetings, but not participating
• Isolating themselves
• Not going to recovery meetings
• Poor eating and sleeping habits

If you’re a person in recovery and having trouble maintaining your sobriety, keep in mind that things will get much easier a year from now. Cravings will cease, your ability to participate in activities will strengthen, and you’ll develop healthy habits that become so much a part of your daily life.

References

¹ Roberts BW, Mroczek D. Personality Trait Change in Adulthood. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2008 Feb 1;17(1):31-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8721.2008.00543.x. PMID: 19756219; PMCID: PMC2743415.

² Bennadi D. Self-medication: A current challenge. J Basic Clin Pharm. 2013 Dec;5(1):19-23. doi: 10.4103/0976-0105.128253. PMID: 24808684; PMCID: PMC4012703.

³ Byrne A. Signs and symptoms in drug addiction. Aust Fam Physician. 1995 Mar;24(3):420. PMID: 7717906.

⁴ Laudet AB, Savage R, Mahmood D. Pathways to long-term recovery: a preliminary investigation. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2002 Jul-Sep;34(3):305-11. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2002.10399968. PMID: 12422942; PMCID: PMC1852519.

⁵ Melemis SM. Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery. Yale J Biol Med. 2015 Sep 3;88(3):325-32. PMID: 26339217; PMCID: PMC4553654.