In many ways the process of addiction has been compared to entering into a relationship, but in this case it would be an unhappy relationship. As we go through successive stages, commitment is enhanced and the influence it has on the addict becomes stronger.
- Infatuation
The first experiments with drugs often leave a mark recorded. If this first contact has been nice, there is a passionate infatuation or attraction to retake the substance or the activity. This distorted perception of reality, however, excites, calms produces euphoria or which increases the probability of having a new opportunity to take or consume. There is a change of mood that, in many cases, experienced a visceral level (all caused by the logic alteration of brain chemistry) and generates the glare like one falls for a chic.
In the game, a strong initial gain increases the chances of getting addicted to gambling.
- Honeymoon
Once the individual has learned, through his family, society, or from my own experience that certain activities or consumption of certain substances can be transported as if by magic away from any feeling or mood is negative, the step addiction is easy.
Having “learned” in stage 1 it is possible to get some relief (negative reinforcement) or pleasure (positive reinforcement) through the addictive substance or activity, the person may feel compelled to erase bad feelings or pain with something positive. The low tolerance for frustration or inability to cope with such adversity leads to search for “silver bullets”, then searching for the chemical action that facilitates change.
During the honeymoon phase, the future addict experiences all the perks without any negative consequences: it feels that exerts control, the activity is harmless and that he deserves. You can instantly feel better and enjoy the feeling of forgetting everything. But what they do not realize is that any relationship based on deception and fantasy can work well long term.
- Betrayal
However, what one sees during the honeymoon is not what actually gets. Over time, it is betrayed. Thus, besides a deterioration in key areas of your life, it is likely that the addict is doing things that would not normally do, to maintain and addiction (to steal, engage in other illegal activities). Artificial paradise that was promised in an earlier stage they turn into dark alleys filled with traps. The betrayal is real and the decline begins.
