Addiction's Effect on Maturity Level

Addiction throws a curve ball in regards to our moods and relationships. The emotional dimension of addiction can be regarded as a regression along the line of emotional development. The addict regresses from acting like an adolescent, to a child then an infant. The regression doesn’t happen overnight and just because a person stops drinking or using drugs doesn’t necessarily mean a return to adulthood. Typically a person’s maturity level stays frozen to the age a person first started using drugs or alcohol. This has to be understood in the terms of this person has a disease and is something this person can grow out of, if they treat themselves for their addiction. This is done by setting clear limits on behavior and compliance by a treatment program or a trained professional.