Stages of Addiction and Addiction Treatment Facilities in East Harlem

There are so many people battling addiction issues, it is difficult to ascertain how many exactly. Experts believe an estimated 24 million struggle with the disease in the United States of America. Treating addiction isn’t enough, how people become addicted is as important. According to healthcare professionals, there are a few stages to addiction-

First Use- The first use is mostly out of a sense of adventure, peer pressure or a medical necessity which makes a person learn how the substance makes them feel at that point of time.

Continued Use- When it comes to a person with prescription, the continued use of a particular substance might be out of a requirement or a need to use the medication. For an individual who quickly returned to the substance after experimenting not too long back, it indicates that they like how the drug makes them feel.

Tolerance- This is the stage that arrives after a period of continued use and it is also the first warning sign of addiction. Tolerance implies the brain and body have adjusted to the drug and it now takes a greater amount to feel the effects of it.

Dependence- This stage involves the substance abuser being physically ill without alcohol or drugs, even to the extent of developing serious withdrawal symptoms. Chemically, the brain has become too accustomed to the substance to function well without it. Individuals don’t feel “normal” if they’re not using the substance. A person may also go into withdrawal where they can experience flu-like symptoms with opiates, or sweats and shakiness with alcohol.

Addiction- This is the last stage where individuals find it nearly impossible to stop misusing drugs or alcohol and are unable to stop themselves just when things seem to be going well.

Remember, there are variations within the stages unique to every individual. According to research, segments of the population are genetically predisposed to addiction, but the disposition is not a guarantee a person will become an addict. An individual with no predisposition can just as easily develop an addiction.

Now that you are aware of the addiction stages, addiction treatment can help you get sober and stay sober. H.E.L.P. is a multi-faceted outpatient facility (addiction treatment facility, East Harlem) offering co-located services of addiction medicine, general medicine and Mental Health. We’re here to help you at any stage of your addiction.

For more information, call on (212) 876-2300.