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What Are the Stages of Addiction?

Addiction is a process. A person doesn’t go from trying drugs or alcohol for the first time to a serious substance use disorder overnight. There are dozens of factors that come into play when diagnosing a problem with drugs and alcohol, and it’s important to remember that addiction is unique from person to person. That being said, research over the years has produced models of the different stages of addiction and how substance abuse overtakes lives. Certain patterns can offer insight into how and why people fall victim to drug and alcohol abuse.

E. Morton Jellinek is credited with creating one of the models for the stages of addiction that is still used today. Jellinek was a physiologist and alcoholism researcher who spent years studying addiction and mental health. Jellinek’s research in the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s was groundbreaking in its effort to provide a better understanding of alcoholism. He suggested that addiction follows an identifiable pattern across different individuals. His research on the phases of addiction shed light on how complex substance use disorders are. His work is still used today in research and treatment programs around the country.

Jellinek’s model outlined five stages of addiction individuals may go through:

1. Pre-Addiction Stage

In the pre-addiction phase, you are in the early stages of exploring and experimenting with substances. This includes social drinking and drug use to fit in or cope with stress. In this stage there are little to no health or wellness complications from substance use. It can be difficult you to notice you have a problem. It can even be hard for those close to you to realize you’re struggling with alcohol or drug abuse.

Pre-addiction is also the stage where tolerance begins to develop. Tolerance to alcohol or drugs means that over time you need to drink more or use more drugs to feel their desired effects.

2. Prodromal Phase

What are the stages of addiction?

In the prodromal stage of addiction, the negative effects of substance abuse start to appear. Symptoms during this stage include:

  • Denial
  • Hiding usage from friends and family
  • Increased risk-taking behaviors
  • Changes in behavior or attitude

You may grow preoccupied with a substance and focus your attention and resources on obtaining and using it. Many people in the prodromal phase still hide their substance abuse from others and don’t see it as a problem.  

3. Crucial Stage

The crucial stage marks a transition from occasional to regular use as you become dependent on alcohol or drugs to cope with emotional distress. This is the stage where you lose control over your substance abuse. Some people recognize their issues and attempt to get sober on their own, without success.

This is the stage when substance abuse starts to get in the way of responsibilities like work, school, and family. It’s also the point where mental and physical health begin a steep decline.

4. Chronic Stage

The chronic phase is when you have become dependent on alcohol and drugs, and your use begins to dominate your life. You may go through periods of extreme substance use, known as “benders.” You may experience physical withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop using. Some may even be life-threatening depending on the substance you’re using and the timeline of abuse.

5. Recovery/Relapse

In the recovery/relapse stage, you feel a real and honest urge to get sober. You may attempt to recover from addiction on your own. Some may unfortunately relapse back into substance abuse. Recovery can take weeks, months, or even years depending on your commitment and your support system. In this stage you should reach out to the counselors at a rehab center and get professional addiction treatment.

How to Get Help for Alcohol or Drug Abuse

Learn about the stages of addiction

Help is out there if you are struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Vogue Recovery Center is a substance abuse treatment facility focused on helping clients reach their goal of sobriety. Our team of certified counselors uses evidence-based treatments to end addiction and the problems that come with it. We cater to the needs of each client to create a unique treatment plan that meets you where you are in the stages of addiction and offers you a path to a better life. A free consultation with our addiction therapists is the best way to learn more about the different programs and treatment options we have available.

There are different treatment options and levels of care at a rehab facility like Vogue Recovery Center. Which program is best for your needs is something your recovery team will help decide. Some of the different stages of addiction recovery include:

Medical detoxDetox is a crucial first step to recovery. There’s plenty of stigma surrounding detox, but at Vogue Recovery Center, professional addiction treatment counselors oversee the entire process. With their help, drug and alcohol detox is safe, effective, and as comfortable as possible.

During detox, programs like individual and group therapy are beneficial. They provide secure spaces to open up about mental health, stress, responsibilities, and anything else that could lead to substance abuse. They also provide a sense of community. You realize you aren’t alone on the path to a brighter future. Your therapist and others in group therapy are a valuable support system for your future.

Detox is often necessary during the Crucial and Chronic Stages of addiction, as that’s when the severe negative consequences of drug and alcohol use appear.

Residential treatmentInpatient treatment helps people with severe addiction issues. The goal is long-term recovery. If you enter residential treatment at Vogue Recovery Center, you will live full-time at a treatment center while you work to leave addiction behind. The value of inpatient care is it allows you to commit 100% to your recovery. Your addiction treatment counselors create a unique recovery plan that meets your needs. Along with individual and group therapy, holistic programs like acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy are often used to promote recovery from alcohol or drug abuse.

Many in the Crucial and Chronic Stages of addiction find residential treatment effective for the severity of their substance abuse.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP)A PHP isn’t as intensive as residential care, but clients still spend five days a week at the facility undergoing treatment. You can live at your home or in a sober home while working through this stage of treatment.

PHP utilizes all the programs in residential care with a focus on independence. You put to use the skills and coping mechanisms learned in rehab while taking the first steps back into your everyday life. Programs like individual and group therapy add value during this stage because they allow a space to talk through the challenges you face returning to your home, work, or school. Family therapy is an educational program for you and your family members. It adds value to a partial hospitalization program by teaching you and the ones who care about you more about what addiction is and how they can best support you. Family therapy teaches communication techniques and relationship tools that improve life at home.

Those in the Crucial and Chronic Stages of addiction can benefit from PHP treatment.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP)An IOP provides structure and support to those in recovery but without 24-hour supervision. Clients live at home, and many can honor commitments like work or school as they continue toward their goal of sobriety. You may visit Vogue Recovery Center three to five times per week for treatment.

The treatment programs in an IOP are similar to those in a PHP. You undergo therapy sessions one-on-one with your rehabilitation counselor and in group settings. Holistic recovery and family programs are available as well. The value is added flexibility and more independence for someone about to re-enter the world free from drugs and alcohol.

Those in the Crucial and Chronic Stages of addiction can benefit from IOP treatment.

Outpatient rehabOutpatient drug and alcohol treatment offers the most flexibility. You only spend time in treatment once or twice a week. The goal is to help you understand the consequences of addiction. The skills you learned in recovery are your tools for navigating life free from a substance abuse disorder. The majority of treatments and therapies used in the other stages of drug and alcohol addiction recovery are also valuable in outpatient care. Outpatient care can be helpful no matter what stage of addiction you’re in.

From the Prodromal Phase through recovery, outpatient services can benefit anyone on their journey to sobriety.

12-Step/SMART Recovery

Many have heard of 12 step programs for addiction recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are both examples. Twelve-step programs don’t offer professional assistance with detox, they aren’t residential addiction treatment, and they’re not affiliated with any specific treatment facility.

They are peer-led groups. Many find the 12 Steps effective after completing more intense programs and moving on to outpatient rehab and aftercare treatment. The sense of community and support from others that happens in 12-step groups is often valuable in recovery as you come to realize you aren’t alone on your journey to a better life. The structure of following each step is also helpful to many people, but this approach isn’t right for everyone.

SMART Recovery is an alternative approach to traditional 12-step programs. It’s been used since 1994 to teach self-empowerment skills and uses evidence-based tools to support individuals in their recovery.

Unlike 12-step programs, which rely on peer support, SMART Recovery encourages you to take an active role in your own recovery and learn how to manage your thoughts and feelings without depending on a higher power. Instead, SMART Recovery provides tools that help you develop self-efficacy to make positive changes in their lives. With the focus on personal accountability, SMART Recovery is an effective alternative for those who don’t find 12-step programs helpful or are looking for an evidence-based approach to recovering from addiction.

The program is based on four key principles:

  1. Building motivation
  2. Coping with urges
  3. Problem-solving
  4. Lifestyle balance

SMART Recovery focuses on self-motivation and making positive changes through cognitive behavioral techniques. SMART Recovery also encourages members to develop personal relationships with their peers to provide support and guidance during their recovery journey.

Dual Diagnosis Rehab

Stages of addiction

If you struggle with both an addiction and a mental illness, you may receive a dual diagnosis. The best chance you have for recovery is to treat both issues at the same time. If you just treat a mental health issue and ignore your addiction, for example, you may use drugs or alcohol to cope when you have a challenging mental health day.

The team at Vogue Recovery Center offers comprehensive options for mental health and substance abuse issues. Some of the evidence-based treatments and therapies offered include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – CBT is a type of talk therapy that can help you identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior. These negative patterns can contribute to mental health issues like depression or anxiety, and, in turn, addiction.

CBT is based on the idea that negative thoughts can lead to negative behaviors and emotions. By identifying and changing negative thoughts, you can improve your emotions and behaviors. CBT involves structured sessions with a therapist where you learn techniques for recognizing and challenging your negative thoughts and beliefs and developing coping skills and problem-solving strategies.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) DBT is a type of behavioral therapy developed to treat individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Now it is used to treat a variety of mental health issues.

DBT emphasizes the importance of a dialectical approach, which means finding a balance between opposing forces or ideas. For example, individuals learn to balance acceptance and change. DBT focuses on four main areas:

  1. Mindfulness
  2. Distress tolerance
  3. Emotion regulation
  4. Interpersonal effectiveness

What Happens After Addiction Treatment?

Aftercare is an important part of the recovery process. It involves working with your addiction treatment team to create a plan for staying sober. This includes where you’re going to live, your system for support, and any future treatment sessions. When people or situations in life cause the urge to abuse drugs and alcohol, you can fall back on your plan for guidance.

Always remember that recovery is possible, but getting the right help can make all the difference. Quitting on one’s own is so challenging. Take advantage of the help and guidance of certified, professional addiction treatment counselors. Contacting the team at Vogue Recovery Center is a sound first step if you are concerned about drug or alcohol addiction. We offer comprehensive programming for a variety of substance abuse and mental health issues. Don’t wait! Our addiction treatment center programs are the answer you’ve been looking for. Start treatment today.

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Evan Gove

Evan Gove

Evan Gove is a writing and editing professional with ten years of experience. He graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a degree in Writing & Rhetoric. When not writing, you can find him enjoying his sunny hometown of Delray Beach, Florida.
Evan Gove

Latest posts by Evan Gove (see all)

Published by Evan Gove

Evan Gove is a writing and editing professional with ten years of experience. He graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges with a degree in Writing & Rhetoric. When not writing, you can find him enjoying his sunny hometown of Delray Beach, Florida.

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Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC