Hello, in this article you are going to learn about the five stages of dependency that addictions go through and then a simple solution that can help you overcome them all.

Some people who have substance abuse justify it simply by referring to it as a “bad habit.” But that line is thin, at best.

As you read through the five stages of dependency below, think about where you might fit in. This model does not only apply to drug addictions or substance abuse, but is a useful model that can be applied in many different contexts.

These are the 5 stages of dependency.

Stage 1) Experimentation. All forms of addiction begin with experimentation. Everything here is innocent and fun. You come in to get some risk, variety and maximum experience in your life. You want to try something a little out there. In this phase, you get a first taste of how substances make you feel. It is also characterized as a search for emotions, not planned in advance.

Stage 2) Recreational. At this point, the use becomes more of a conscious choice, although it is still not frequent. And in the Recreational stage, the user also begins to plan more specifically when he will use the drug (in whatever form it comes) in order to increase the good times he gets from it.

Stage 3) Misuse. More and more often you start looking for it, the substance. And now it grows to the progressive level where it becomes a part of your life to use regularly. Here the negative consequences of misuse begin to become more evident, such as hangovers, shortness of breath and excess weight. This may be a turning point.

Stage 4) Abuse. By the time you get to this part of addiction, your primary goal has become getting more and more substance. And you find yourself getting into situations where the substance is, almost obsessively. You can’t get enough. You need that buzz to feel good. And here, the bad consequences of your actions worsen and intensify.

Stage 5) Dependence. Ultimately, you cease to be able to maintain any sense of independence from the substance. At this point your life revolves around getting that hit, the hit becomes a total preoccupation with using tobacco, food, alcohol or marijuana. When you reach this stage, you may also begin to experience memory loss. In the dependency stage, you are quite willing to do anything to get more of the drug.