3. Time Framework

It is impossible to say how long or how much it takes to become addicted to a drug or drugs. Addiction is a state in which a person has lost his or her free will:- something else is in control:- in this case the chemical. If drug consumption is repeated over and over again because it feels good, this consumption may gradually turn into addiction. There are various psychological stages on the road to addiction, and therefore also the road to recovery. The first three phases - experimentation, adaptation and compulsion - all lead to addiction or drug craving. Hopefully there will be a turning point in the addict's emotional state and attitude whereby treatment for substance abuse can be undertaken.

• Phase 1: Experiment - Debut
• Phase 2: Adaptation - Spread
• Phase 3: Compulsive - Addiction
• Phase 4: Ambivalence - Turning Point: Treatment motivation
• Phase 5: Treatment
• Phase 6: Emancipation

Drugs are illiegal because they are dangerous - They are not dangerous because they are illegal.