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Are you (or is someone you know) spiraling in addiction?

The Phases of Addiction – A Brief Description of the Compulsive Spiral

Initiation Phase. This is the beginning phase of addiction. Are you experiencing any of the following...

Tendencies toward addictive or compulsive behavior patterns?

Catalytic life events, such as a break-up or a job failure?

A compulsion toward sex, food, or alcohol?

A pressing desire to escape your problems?

Early intervention can help tremendously! Lifeworks is ready to help.

Establishment Phase. The addictive behavior is taking root. Are you or is someone you love...

Repeating addictive behaviors?

Experiencing a trance-like preoccupation with rituals or behaviors?

Finding yourself in a cycle of shame and despair?

Intervention in the early phases involves getting past denial. Let a Lifeworks counselor help.

Contingent Phase. Escalation Mode. The addictive system is now fully established and will generally escalate, given certain events and environments. Are you or is someone you love experiencing...

Increased intensity?

Increased frequency?

Increased risk, leading to more unmanageability?

Escalation of the behavior at a varying rate?

At this point, the addict is committed to the addiction. Tremendous resistance to change is common. Call Lifeworks today.

Contingent Phase. De-escalation Mode. Here the addiction is fully established but the compulsive behaviors are less frequent and less risky. Are you or is someone you love finding that the behavior or compulsion...

Is more manageable?

Has de-escalated? or

Has remained steady?

In this phase, many addicts and their families convince themselves that the problem is under control. People sometimes seek therapy for other, seemingly unrelated reasons (tension in marriage, depression). Lifeworks counselors can help.

Acute Phase. Are you or is someone you love experiencing...

Breaks with reality?

An abandonment of the former value system?

Alienation from significant others?

Isolation?

Oblivion to obvious risks?

Constant preoccupation?

Rare feelings of shame and despair?

This is the phase in which denial by others is no longer an available option. Many family members of addicts seek help during this phase. Don’t wait any longer. Seek help today.

Chronic Phase. At this stage you may recognize...

Failing health?

Institutionalization for criminal behavior?

Behavior limited only by opportunity?

This is often the “hitting bottom” stage – and in many cases – intervention efforts come too late to avoid catastrophic consequences, though sobriety and recovery are still possible. Don’t give up hope.

Take the Lifeworks challenge! Seek help today. At Lifeworks, we want to help turn the devastation into healing.

Recommended reading on Alcoholism, Addiction, and Compulsive Behaviors

Resource links on Alcoholism, Addiction, and Compulsive Behavior