The Seven Stages of Addiction
Name: Addiction.
Age: As ancient as desire.
Appearance: A whiff of temptation in every celebration.
Occurrence: When comfort becomes a crutch.
Effect: A thick fog in the mornings.
Reason: The quest for an escape, the fear of death.
Cause: A pained mask of joy; a cloak of anger.
Does it matter? Like a missing limb
Treatment: Hitting rock bottom and pushing back up.
Name: Relapse.
Age: As recurrent as the moon’s phases.
Appearance: A hard habit, a familiar smell.
Occurrence: Just when the battle seemed won.
Effect: All loathing, a test of resolve.
Reason: Soul chemistry, the body's old battles.
Cause: A heart skipping beats, a rare encounter.
Does it matter? Like a rallying cry ringing through the night.
Treatment: Renewed commitment, a cup of strong coffee.
Name: Recovery.
Age: Timeless, for as long as there are humans.
Appearance: A slow sunrise, a gradual unveiling.
Occurrence: After the sweatiest nights, under the heaviest burdens.
Effect: Lightness, a breath of fresh air.
Reason: The innate urge to mend, to rise another time.
Cause: Driven by love, loss, and survival.
Does it matter? It’s the essence of every great comeback.
Treatment: Steady patience, perseverance, and long walks in nature.
Name: Sobriety.
Age: As steady as a monk’s chant.
Appearance: Clear eyes, steady hands.
Occurrence: Each day anew, a continuous choice.
Effect: Clarity, presence, the murmur of old dreams.
Reason: The quest for purity, for control, for peace.
Cause: A strong discipline, life’s earnest plea.
Does it matter? More than most will ever realize.
Treatment: Commitment, constant vigilance, and a slice of humble pie.
Name: Temptation.
Age: As old as the garden of Eden.
Appearance: Artificial paradises, seducing with sweet lies.
Occurrence: At every corner, in every joyous toast.
Effect: A stirring within, a falter in resolve.
Reason: Humanity’s eternal waltz with lust.
Cause: The allure and romance of existence.
Does it matter? Only in that one heartbeat.
Treatment: A strong will, a reminder of the stakes.
Name: Triumph.
Age: As glorious as a hero’s welcome.
Appearance: A milestone celebrated, a scar worn with pride.
Occurrence: After endless days, through all resistance.
Effect: A calm bubble dancing through turbulent waters.
Cause: The cumulative result of countless decisions.
Does it matter? Like dawn after the ink of never-ending nights.
Treatment: Revel in it, then share the tale to inspire.
Name: Enlightenment.
Age: As wise as an ancient tree.
Appearance: The calm after the storm, the depth in sober eyes.
Occurrence: A glimmer of profound clarity.
Effect: Understanding oneself, the path laid bare.
Cause: The journey through shadows, the quest for light.
Does it matter? It’s the one guidepost.
Treatment: Relax, reflect, and continue to grow.
As a recovery addict myself (that was just booze, right? buying records and CDs are an investment), an addictions counsellor and a casual observer, I can honestly tell you that this hits 5 of the 5 stages of approval. Well done.
Such meaningful poetical truths. Written by and for those who have lived through it. Thank you.