Identifying Basic Concepts of Addiction
Marisa Sullivan, MA, LCPC, CADC, NCC
Society today has glorified substance use, with access to alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana at every corner. Recent data has shown an increase in substance use and abuse starting in individuals at the age of 12. Approximately 70.5 million people aged 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs in the past year.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease, characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, depicting harmful consequences such as brain structure change, decline in brain functioning, decline in organ functioning, negative impulse, and decision making. Addiction is characterized by four stages: primary, chronic, progressive, and fatal symptoms.
Primary
Addiction is a genetic disease transferred from family member to family member. This does not mean that the individual automatically becomes an addict, but that they are predisposed to developing the disease of being unable to manage psychological and social factors. Depending on how the individual manages their addiction, they can either stay stable, manage daily stressors and triggers, or succumb to unraveling life’s demands. Some identifiable symptoms to recognize with addiction are lying, manipulation, poor follow-through, avoidance/isolation, using alone, using to relax, impaired driving, friends expressing concerns to decrease substance use, seeking behaviors, and problems managing other areas of life due to use. If substance use continues, this can lead to chronic conditions and even death.
Addiction is a genetic disease transferred from family member to family member. Depending on how the individual manages their addiction, they can either stay stable, manage daily stressors and triggers, or succumb to unraveling life demands. Some symptoms of addiction are using alone, using to relax, impaired driving, and forgetting important events due to use, friends expressing concern to cut down substance use, and problems managing other areas of life due to use.
Chronic
As the individual’s usage increases, the disease progresses to the chronic stage. When reaching this stage, the individual is unable to manage their symptoms unless aware and accepting of receiving help for the disease. With this, the individual is actively using coping skills, seeking support, and finding other avenues to manage symptoms. There is no known cure other than abstinence and addiction management.
Progressive
If the individual does not manage their addiction, they then enter the progressive stage. The individual is unable to identify observable symptoms, experiences a decline in everyday functioning, and worsens physical, emotional, and social functioning. The only way to manage any stressors or triggers that one experiences is by using substances. At this stage, the individual finds themselves irritable and helpless, caught in the cycle of addiction.
Fatal
Lastly, if addiction is not addressed, it becomes a terminal illness, unless use is permanently stopped. Individuals have become conditioned to its use and cannot stop, as they cannot function without it. Typically, you will find physical deterioration (heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, brain deterioration, cancers), leading to death either by physical decline, accidents while under the influence, or suicide.
If you or a loved one can identify with any of these stages or find yourself experiencing addiction, please reach out to Barnes and Klatt, PLLC, and Marisa Sullivan, MA, LCPC, CADC, NBCC at 847-981-9200.
Resources
If you are interested in understanding the increase in substance use, please see drugabusestatistics.org:
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