Progression can be defined as the continual process that addiction creates and it gets worse and worse over time due to the excessive use of the addicted substance. Progression refers to the gradual worsening of the addiction and its impact on your life.

In addiction, progression occurs as the addictive behaviour and substance abuse become increasingly harmful. Initially, you may have control over your substance use but over time, the addiction reinforces itself making it harder to resist. As a result, the frequency and quantity of substance use tend to increase, leading to physical, psychological and social consequences.

The addiction recovery community describes progression as a process rather than a single event, happening in stages. These stages can vary from person to person but they commonly encompass experimentation, regular use, abuse and addiction. Progression can be slow or rapid with some individuals experiencing a constant decline while others may have periods of relative stability before deterioration.

It’s important to recognise the signs of progression, such as increased tolerance to the substance, cravings, failed attempts to cut down or quit, neglecting responsibilities and relationships, withdrawal symptoms and loss of control. These indicators highlight the urgent need for seeking professional help and engaging in addiction treatment.

Stages of Addiction

The stages of addiction typically progress through several phases, although some stages may overlap or occur rapidly, especially with highly addictive substances. The general stages are:

1. Initial Use
   This is where the addiction begins. It might start innocently, such as using a prescription for pain or mental health issues, experimenting with alcohol at a legal age or succumbing to peer pressure to try illicit drugs. Various factors, including genetics and environment, influence the likelihood of this initial use leading to addiction.
2. Abuse
   The individual begins to use the substance in a manner or quantity that is harmful.
3. Tolerance
   Over time with continued use, the body starts requiring more of the substance to achieve the same effect, leading to increased usage.
4. Dependence
   The user’s body or brain becomes reliant on the substance to function normally. This stage often includes psychological dependence, where the user cannot feel pleasure or normalcy without the substance.
5. Addiction
   This is a chronic mental health disorder with specific symptoms and behaviors. The severity of the addiction can be classified as mild, moderate or severe based on the number of symptoms present.
6. Relapse
   This stage involves returning to substance use after a period of abstinence. It’s often part of the cycle of addiction and doesn’t necessarily mean treatment failure.

Professional treatment is essential to break this cycle. It involves various methods like cognitive and behavioural therapies, peer support and other mental health treatments. These are designed to help the individual manage the chronic nature of addiction and reduce relapse risks, much like treatments for other chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes.

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