The Six-phase Of Addiction

1. Dormant – this is the phase where the addiction is temporarily in remission but underlying issues whether opportunity, trauma or attachment induced, remain unresolved. Life may appear ‘normal’, but it’s simply a matter of time before a trigger occurs.

2. Trigger – the trigger is an event, an opportunity, a bodily sensation, emotion, or thought process that activates the behaviour. Almost anything may be a trigger but most commonly it will be a sexual opportunity or a negative emotion such as anxiety, anger, depression, sadness, boredom, loneliness or frustration.

3. Preparation – the preparation phase can vary in length considerably from just a few minutes to turn on a computer, to many weeks of planning an affair. This phase includes practical preparation such as the where, when and how as well as psychological strategies to create the environment where acting out can be tolerated and/or enjoyed.

4. Acting Out – for some, acting out is a single event such as visiting a sex worker which may last just a few minutes whereas for others it may be a week-long binge of pornography use. Some describe it as a highpoint that brings euphoria and relief but for others the accompanying relief is purely about getting the deed over and done with so they can finally begin their descent back to the comfort of the dormant phase.

5. Regret – depending on the consequences of acting out, the impact on personal values and an addict’s commitment to change, the regret phase may be experienced as little more than a momentary ‘oops’ or weeks of despair, shame and self-loathing.

6. Reconstitution – during the reconstitution phase an addict is either consciously or unconsciously putting their life back together again. It may be a time for rebuilding self-esteem, covering tracks and/or renewing resolutions not to act out again.