Alcohol and drug addiction are often referred to as cyclical disorders. As a person’s brain and body adapt to regular or continued substance abuse, these systems will build strong connections with internal and external cues associated with alcohol and other drugs. What may begin as a seemingly harmless way to relax or unwind can quickly develop into a dangerous habit, leading to a loss of control over addictive behaviors. Understanding this cycle and how to break it for good is critical to reducing the risks of negative consequences while achieving lasting well-being in recovery.
At Crystal Cove Recovery, our Laguna Beach rehab offers you a clear and effective treatment path to long-term sobriety and whole-person recovery. We focus on providing evidence-based and compassionate care, individualized to meet your unique needs and goals for healing. Our main treatment options include medical detox and residential substance abuse treatment. Moreover, we will meet you where you are in your recovery process and ensure you have the tools and support that you need to thrive in your next stage of transformation.
What Is the Cycle of Addiction? The Three-Stage Cycle
Whether an individual is struggling with an addiction to opioids, stimulants, alcohol, or another form of substance use disorder (SUD), the cyclical nature of addiction often prevails. It is important to note that there are several ways that the cycle of addiction can appear in daily life. According to a publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Office of the Surgeon General, the first way is through a three-stage cycle, with each stage directly associated with specific brain regions affected by alcohol and drug use:
Binge/intoxication and the basal ganglia: In the first stage, an individual is exposed to the pleasurable effects of a substance. Over time, the individual may engage in substance abuse more regularly and in higher doses, leading to functional changes in their brain and body. The brain region associated with this first stage is the basal ganglia, responsible for regulating the brain’s reward system, including the neurotransmitter dopamine, as well as habit formation.
Withdrawal/negative affect and the extended amygdala: In the second stage, the individual may begin to experience negative consequences of their substance abuse, including withdrawal effects in the absence of continued use. Specifically, this stage is often marked by a negative emotional state and other urges to reengage. The extended amygdala is highlighted in this second stage, which is comprised of various stress systems and neurotransmitters. When activated, these neurotransmitters facilitate withdrawal symptoms and the associated drive to alleviate such negative consequences.
Preoccupation/anticipation and the prefrontal cortex: In the third stage, the individual makes active attempts to engage in substance use in an effort to both alleviate withdrawal symptoms and experience pleasure. The brain region associated with this stage is the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for controlling executive functions. When the prefrontal cortex is impacted by drug abuse, it can lead to increased drug-seeking behaviors and impulsivity, despite increased risk of harm.
Addressing the Repetition That Fuels Addiction
The cycle of addiction is fueled by repeated patterns of substance abuse that alter brain regions necessary for life-sustaining functions, leading to compulsive alcohol and drug use and other health issues. In the three-stage cycle of addiction mentioned above, a person can see how quickly their substance use can progress through each stage and increase their vulnerability to drug dependence and addiction.
Why Understanding the Cycle Can Be the First Step to Recovery
Despite what some people may believe, substance abuse and addiction can affect anyone. Understanding the cycle of addiction is the first step to long-term recovery because it encourages each person to understand their own vulnerability to alcohol use, drug use, and other addictive behaviors. Increasing awareness of risk factors, environmental factors, and other influences in addiction treatment will also be important to interrupt existing patterns while implementing lifestyle habits that are conducive to long-term sobriety.
Understanding the Stages of the Addiction Cycle: The 6-Stage Cycle
Another lens through which to view the cycle of addiction is through a series of six stages. These stages are similar to the three-stage cycle mentioned earlier, yet break stages down even further to detail specific behaviors and progression of substance use to the development of substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction. While treatment centers may break these stages down differently, they all hone in on the progression from initial substance use to addiction and relapse.
1. Initial Use
The first stage is marked by a person’s initial use of alcohol or other drugs. While some people may initially choose to engage in substance use as a result of peer pressure or curiosity, others may be introduced via prescription medications. Meanwhile, it is important to note that early exposure to alcohol and other drugs is a notable risk factor for addiction later in life.
2. Regular Use and Misuse
The second stage of this cycle is marked by increased engagement in substance use, developing into regular use and often misuse. In this stage, individuals may choose to engage in continued use for purposes of experimentation or to experience pleasure. Occasional use may become more frequent or occur alongside risky behaviors, especially as each person learns their own limits.
3. Tolerance
During stage three, a person experiences increased tolerance in regard to their alcohol and drug use. Tolerance is marked by the body’s diminished response to substance use, requiring more of a substance to achieve desired effects. Indeed, there is a blurred line between stage two and stage three of this addiction cycle. The need for higher doses alongside recurrent engagement brings a person to stage three.
4. Dependence
The fourth stage of the addiction cycle is marked by drug dependence. Dependence is defined as a physical or psychological reliance on alcohol and other drugs to function well or normally in daily life. One of the most telltale signs of drug dependence is the presence of negative withdrawal symptoms, such as increased irritability, low mood, body aches, and cravings to use when not under the influence.
5. Addiction (Active Use)
Stage five is characterized by compulsive substance use, or an inability to control use, despite the harmful consequences that such use may be causing on an individual’s life. Unfortunately, it is common for individuals in this stage to ignore, excuse, or otherwise rationalize their addictive behaviors for a period of time. Implementing harm reduction techniques during this stage is important and can help to minimize health risks while an individual discovers their own motivation for treatment engagement and sobriety.
6. Crisis or Relapse
The last stage of addiction is synonymously termed crisis or relapse, marked by a return to substance use or abuse after a period of abstinence. Environmental factors, stress, and other internal triggers can make individuals increasingly vulnerable to relapse, even long after a professional treatment program has been completed. It is important that individuals working to establish and sustain sobriety have a reliable support system to hold them accountable throughout long-term recovery. This support, coupled with the creation of a healthier and more worthwhile lifestyle in treatment, is vital for successfully breaking the cycle and maintaining well-being in sobriety.
Addiction as a Chronic Brain Disease
As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control.” By the time an individual has developed an addiction, brain regions that are necessary for life-sustaining functions have become impaired, making them more vulnerable to continued compulsive drug-seeking and drug-using behaviors.
Why Addiction Is More Than Just “Using”
A person’s initial decision to engage in alcohol or other drug use is often voluntary. Yet, continued engagement in drug use can remove the decision to engage in substance use altogether. Instead, an individual with addiction will feel unable to cease their alcohol and drug use, no matter how hard they try. Similarly, because of their tolerance, they will no longer be able to achieve the desired effects from their drug use but will instead use substances to avoid withdrawal effects and curb never-ending cravings to use. In this way, addiction is more than just using because it is reinforcing a dangerous, uncontrollable cycle, often at the cost of important responsibilities and healthier behaviors.
A Brain-Based, Behavioral Health Condition
NIDA highlights that addiction is a brain disease that shares many similarities with other chronic diseases, like heart disease, for example. Both addiction and heart disease interfere with the healthy functioning of internal systems that are vital for life-sustaining functions. Additionally, both diseases can lead to long-lasting health issues. Despite what some people may believe, however, both diseases are also preventable and treatable. Timely, professional treatment is vital to reverse any negative consequences and enhance overall functioning for the individual struggling.
How the Addiction Cycle Impacts Mental Health
Oftentimes, individuals struggling with addiction will also experience co-occurring mental health problems. In some cases, mental health disorders exist first and make individuals more vulnerable to self-medicating with alcohol and other drugs. Yet, in other cases, mental health disorders develop as a result of addictive behaviors, as the brain areas impacted by substance abuse become more vulnerable to impairments in emotional regulation and impulsivity.
How Self-Medication Fuels the Cycle
Untreated mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and more, can trigger uncomfortable symptoms and interfere with an individual’s ability to function well in daily life. Without professional treatment to address these symptoms, individuals experience an increased risk of turning to alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate. Unfortunately, while self-medicating practices may provide temporary relief from symptoms, they can exacerbate withdrawal and mental health symptoms in the long run.
Why Dual Diagnosis Treatment Matters
Dual diagnosis treatment, also referred to as co-occurring treatment, is an often critical component of the recovery process from addiction. This type of treatment ensures that all existing mental health and addiction diagnoses are treated together, in tandem, for lasting sobriety and healing. If a mental health disorder is left untreated, it can increase the risk of relapse and returning to the cycle of addiction throughout long-term recovery.
Breaking the Cycle: What Real Recovery Requires
Achieving real and true recovery from addictive behaviors and co-occurring mental health problems requires professional treatment and support. It involves the utilization of treatment programs that honor the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – in the therapeutic process.
Acknowledging the Problem and Asking for Help
The first step in healing is acknowledging the existence of a substance abuse or mental health problem and reaching out for support. This may involve turning to both family members, a loved one, and staff at a treatment center to identify next steps while mitigating further harm.
Why Shame Doesn’t Belong in the Recovery Journey
Whether you are reaching out for support for your first time or for your 100th, shame may tell you that you aren’t worthy of recovery and healing, and prevent you from going further. It is important to understand that feelings of shame will perpetuate the cycle of addiction. Fortunately, professional support will help you effectively navigate feelings of shame, guilt, and other negative emotions that may serve as barriers to long-lasting recovery. Truth be told, you do not need to feel ashamed for what you are going through, and you will always be worthy of living a happy and healthy life in recovery.
Detox and Residential Treatment: Healing Beyond Abstinence
At Crystal Cove Recovery, we offer an intensive therapeutic experience that facilitates lasting healing and transformation. Our treatment options include detox and residential treatment, supporting you through every step of your recovery journey. Moreover, our individualized treatment plans address your whole person and focus on incorporating habits, support systems, and lifestyles that are rooted in connection and purpose.
In treatment, we will guide and support you as you rewire maladaptive thought and behavior patterns that would otherwise trigger you to reengage in alcohol and drug use. From traditional treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to 12-Step programming, holistic activities, and more, every aspect of our treatment programs is designed to foster a meaningful recovery process.
Breaking the cycle of addiction will take time. It requires intentional and consistent effort to build emotional regulation tools, coping mechanisms, and a greater understanding of the self. More than anything, however, it requires you to build a life worth staying sober for. With the implementation of healthier lifestyle habits, behaviors, support systems, and more, you will feel more capable than ever to truly break the cycle of addiction in your life. We are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
Understanding the cycle of addiction is an important part of knowing how to break it for good in your life. Breaking the cycle involves consistency and intentionality in exploring triggers and other drivers for continued substance abuse while developing healthier habits for stress management and emotional regulation each day. At Crystal Cove Recovery, we offer detox and residential treatment, facilitating lasting sobriety and transformation through a clear treatment path that works. Every aspect of our treatment facility is designed to support your lifelong recovery journey, ensuring that you have the tools and resources you need to achieve and sustain long-term healing in your life. Learn more about our treatment program options and therapeutic approach by calling (949) 227-4306.
