Understanding the Stages of Addiction: A 4-Step Guide

The Four Stages of Addiction:

1. Experimentation: This is when someone tries a substance for the first time, usually out of curiosity or social pressure.

2. Regular use: This is when someone starts to use a substance more regularly, often to cope with stress or difficult emotions.

3. Tolerance: This is when someone needs more and more of a substance to get the same effect, which can lead to dangerous levels of use.

4. Dependence: This is when someone becomes physically or psychologically dependent on a substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it.