Substance Abuse and
Dependence Continuum
Substance Abuse involves a habitual need (psychological and/or physical) for drugs or alcohol. The process of chemical dependency is a result of continual substance abuse despite negative consequences.
The chronology presented here is what we refer to as the "Dependence Continuum". It shows a teen's typical progression of drug use.
STAGE ONE
EXPERIMENTAL DRUG USE
​
USE
-
Occasional pot-smoking, glue-sniffing. Usually done weekends or during the summer, mostly with friends.
-
Easy to get high because of low tolerance.
-
Thrill of acting grown up and defying parents is part of the high.
How It Presents
Little use of "harder" drugs at this stage.
STAGE TWO
MORE REGULAR USE
USE
-
Tolerance increases with increased use. More parties involving kegs (beer) and/or pot, possibly pills, hash or methamphetamine ("ice" or "crank")
-
Acceptance of the idea the "everyone does it" and wanting to be in on it
-
Staying out later, even all night
-
The use of alcohol may increase
-
Willing to suffer hangovers
-
Consumption increases and pride in being able to "handle it" increases
-
Use on weeknights begins and skipping school may increase
-
Blackouts may begin and talk with friends about "What did I do last night?" occurs
-
Solitary use begins, even smoking at home (risk-taking increases)
-
Concentration on fooling parents or teachers when high
-
Preoccupation with use begins
-
The next high is carefully planned and anticipated.
-
The source of supply is a matter of worry.
-
Use during the day starts
-
Smoking before school to "make it through the morning"
​​
What The World Sees
-
Parents become aware of use
-
May start a long series of 'groundings' for late hours
-
Drug-using friends often not introduced to parents
-
Lying to parents about the extent of use and use of money for drugs.
-
School activities are dropped especially sports
-
Grades will drop
-
Truancy increases
-
Non-drug-using friends are dropped. Weekend-long parties may start.
STAGE THREE
DAILY PREOCCUPATION
​
USE
-
The number of times high during the week increases. Amount of money spent for drugs increases (concealing savings withdrawals from parents)
-
"Social use" decreases -- getting loaded rather than just high. Being high becomes normal
-
Buying more and using more -- all activities seem to include drug use.
-
Possible theft to get money to ensure a supply. There may be contact with "bigger" dealers.
-
Solitary use increases. User will isolate self from others using friends.
-
Lying about or hiding the drug supply. Stash may be concealed from friends.
​
What the world sees
​
-
Possible dealing or fronting for others
-
Possible court trouble for minor consumption or possession. May be arrested for driving while intoxicated, theft, etc. Probation may result
-
May try to cut down or quit to convince self that there is no problem with drugs.
-
Most straight friends are dropped.
-
Money owed for drugs may increase. More truancy and fights with parents about drug use.
