Alcohol addictions and addictions to drugs are both very similar. This is because they both normally start at the experimentation stage, with a person simply drinking or consuming drugs in social situations and recreationally. With both alcohol and drugs providing a pleasurable experience at this stage, many people can proceed to use it again should they be on a night out with their friends once more. When a drug has been used more than once, it is then that the warning signs can begin to show, because the first stage of addiction, experimentation, is slowly coming to a close.

Even though many people can carry on experimenting with drugs without much consequence, some people can begin to start using drugs when they are in the comforts of their own homes and when they are alone - usually when they are feeling quite low. The way of thinking of people who do this is that the drug that they consume will allow them to cheer up by enabling them to experience the high that they enjoy. For those who are stressed, it can be the opportunity to relax - with the drug allowing the person to escape from any of the problems which they may have.

 Soon enough, drugs can become a way for a developing addict to handle their emotions. Many of those who are taking drugs in this second stage can experience depression and low moments even when they are under the influence of drugs because they have built up a tolerance to its effects. As a result, the developing addict can continue to take the drug in the hope that they will obtain the high that is now unreachable. Slowly, the person begins to transition into the third stage of addiction.

At this stage, many addicts no longer care of the implications that may arise because of their addiction. In short, this means that they are willing for relationships with their family and friends to be compromised in order for them to continue receiving their fix. Their appetites can wane, with their main priority being for their next fix of the drug they are addicted to - what's more, the person can lose interest in all of the characteristics which defined them as an individual, like their hobbies for example.

From here on in, a person no longer cares about the implications that their drug dependency might have, as they are now completely addicted to the drug of their choice. As time goes on, addiction can result in severe health complaints which may not be able to be rectified - resulting in a person having a lasting reminder of their recklessness for the remainder of their lives.

If you believe that someone you love (or someone you know) is at any point on this cycle, you need to try and allow them to get help immediately. Trying to have a conversation with them about it can be a great place to start - in what is known as an intervention. This can allow you to gauge what you think more clearly, and may even confirm the suspicions which you had in the first place.

 An addict needs to get help from a Christian rehab in West Virginia if they are going to have the best possible opportunity of a second chance in life. For those who are in a fully-blown addiction, time is ticking before an overdose or another emergency can result in their life being lost. A West Virginia Christian rehab is open around the clock in order for those who need urgent treatment because of drugs to get the support they need. Usually, the first port of call is the detoxification process, with the drugs they were consuming being slowly removed from the bloodstream. Once this is achieved - so begins the beginning of a long road to sobriety.