Phase Two: Consistent Substance Use

• Alcohol and various substances are not limited to weekend use; they extend to weekdays and solitary moments.
• The consumption of alcohol and drugs escalates with the development of tolerance, leading to more frequent hangovers.
• Episodes of blackouts may occur, where drugs or alcohol impede the formation of normal memories, resulting in frequent inquiries like "What happened last night?"
• Increasing focus is directed towards anticipating the next substance use experience.
• Preferred companions become those who share the habit of drinking or using drugs.

Parents may notice:

• Extended periods of the son or daughter being out of the house, including late nights, overnight stays, or entire weekends.
• Deterioration in school performance, unexplained absences, and discontinuation of extracurricular activities like sports.
• Reduced interaction with friends who do not engage in substance use.
• Missing money or valuables.
• The child becomes increasingly withdrawn from the family, displaying heightened sullenness and hostility.
• A pattern of dishonesty, with the user frequently caught in lies.

Phase Three: Submerged in Addiction

• The focal point shifts entirely towards alcohol and drugs.
• Attaining a high becomes a daily occurrence.
• Usage involves more potent and hazardous substances.
• Financial resources allocated to drugs increase, potentially leading to theft or involvement in drug dealing.
• The adolescent experiences heightened social isolation, cutting ties with non-drug-using friends, and engaging in drug use predominantly in solitary settings.

Parents may observe the aforementioned behaviors, as well as:

• Escalation of conflicts within the household.
• A significant loss of control over the adolescent.
• The potential discovery of a stash of drugs within the home.
• Arrests related to drug possession, dealing, or driving under the influence.

Phase Four: Submerged in the Depths of Addiction

• Perpetual intoxication becomes the norm, with being high being a regular occurrence, even during school or work hours (if attendance is maintained at all).
• Instances of blackouts become more frequent.
• Physical well-being deteriorates, evidenced by weight loss, infections, and poor self-care, potentially involving the use of injectable drugs.
• Engagement in casual sexual relationships, sometimes in exchange for drugs, becomes prevalent. The user is likely to be entangled in theft, dealing, and other criminal activities.
• Feelings of guilt, self-hatred, and thoughts of suicide intensify.
• Any apparent interest in spiritual matters is abandoned by the adolescent.

Parents are likely grappling with:

• Complete loss of control over the adolescent's behavior, escalating conflicts, possibly reaching the point of violence.
• Persistent denial by the user that drugs pose a problem.
• Escalating legal issues, with increasing time spent dealing with police, attorneys, hearings, court officials, etc.
• Negative impact on other siblings as the family is consumed or overwhelmed by the consequences of the drug user's behavior.