Sometimes it can feel like something has happened all at once with no warning. In fact, a person who has developed a substance use disorder might convince themselves that the problem came out of nowhere.
But that, of course, is not true. There are five steps on the path to a substance use disorder—and if you are paying attention and being honest with yourself, you can identify them along the way. The sooner you take a detour toward a quality treatment program, the better.
Let’s take a look at each step.
Step One: First Use and the Start of a Pattern
It perhaps goes without saying that the initial step on the path toward a substance use disorder is your first use of drugs (illicit or prescription) or alcohol. That first use might not be problematic in and of itself (though it is certainly true that some drugs can have devastating effects even if you are using them for the very first time). What is problematic is the development of a pattern of substance use.
In the early days, you might not even recognize the emerging pattern for what it is. But soon enough, you will have proceeded to the next step.
Step Two: Regular Ongoing Use
At some point, your use of substances will be less of a choice and more of a habit. That means you are now using drugs or alcohol as part of your regular routine—and you may be adding to that dangerous routine over time.
For example, you might go out a few times with coworkers for a drink on Friday nights. Then you might find yourself going for that drink even if no one else is along. You might find yourself going for that drink on more days or the week or having more than one drink each time you go—or both. You might find yourself struggling to get through the day without access to alcohol. That progression sets you up to take the next step.
Step Three: Building Up Tolerance
Over time, your body and brain can adjust to the drugs or alcohol you are using—and that may mean that it takes more to achieve the same good feelings from the substances in question. As your tolerance builds, you may find yourself consuming more and more as you chase those feelings.
As you increase your intake of substances, you increase the damage to your mental and physical health, too. When you start to really notice that damage, you might realize you have developed a problem. It may also be too late for you to give up the substances on your own.
Step Four: Developing a Dependence
Your increased tolerance has led you to consume more and more of your substance of choice, and from there it is a very short step indeed to the development of dependence. Being dependent on drugs or alcohol means needing to consume the substance in question in order to avoid experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal.
Once your body and brain are accustomed to regular doses of one drug or another, it is devilishly difficult to cope with the symptoms that accompany any effort to give that drug up. Withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on what drug is in play, but you can nearly always count on extreme cravings that will send you scurrying back to whatever you have been taking.
Now you are caught in a trap. You might want to quit using drugs or alcohol. You also might be unable to. That takes us to the final step.
Step Five: Having a Full-Fledged Substance Use Disorder
If you can no longer function without ongoing access to the substance or substances you have been using, you have made it to the end of this terrible path. You have developed a substance use disorder—and you are still caught in the trap, knowing you should stop and being unable to actually do so.
At this point, it is very likely your life is falling apart in a variety of ways. There is, of course, the damage being done to your physical and mental health. You might also find that you have hurt people close to you, damaging relationships in ways that can be hard to come back from. You might be having financial difficulties—especially if your substance use has made it hard to work or gotten you fired.
At this point, you are facing a stark choice between letting things continue to get worse and worse or seeking out the help you desperately need. We, of course, recommend the second course of action.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, The Farley Center offers personalized, evidence-based treatment for those struggling with drugs or alcohol. We provide medically supervised detoxification to see you through withdrawal as comfortably and safely as possible. Our rehabilitation program is built around group and individual therapy sessions and is designed to help you get ready to start your recovery journey. When treatment comes to an end, you can continue to count on us for resources and support.
If the steps we have listed above lead to a substance use disorder, then it’s a good idea to direct your steps toward The Farley Center. We can get you on a better path.
