Signs of Addiction
Addiction to drugs or alcohol can be hard to deal with, especially when you watch it happen without even knowing there is a problem. We have worked in the addiction field for many years and have asked our counselors to compile a list of addictive behaviors to help you spot if your loved one has a problem with addiction. Catching any addiction before it becomes a real problem can save the individual from the adverse physical, mental, and spiritual effects that addiction has to offer. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, give us a call today.
1-800-513-5423
Having a loved one with an addiction problem is a tough one to handle, as we all want to be supportive but can sometimes cross the line into enabling behaviors. If you have noticed any or a few of these signs of addictive behavior below, please give us a call and we will help guide you to the next step to get them the help that they need.
1-800-513-5423
Increasingly becoming secretive
- When a person is hiding something, they become increasingly secretive in their demeanor and actions. They will generally go into generalities rather than exact details as to what they are or were doing. Finding out someone is lying about what they are doing and who they were with, is a sign that something is amiss.
Loss of interest in the things they used to do
- If you see that there is a loss of interest and participation in the things you or a loved one used to love, this could be another sign that there is an addiction problem. What happens is that the addiction becomes increasingly more and more consuming, and other obligations and activities take a back seat to the addiction. Letting something consume your entire being so much that there is no room for the things you love, is a huge sign that there need to be changes made.
Money issues
- Many people who struggle with addiction issues find themselves deeper and deeper in debt. They will oftentimes need to borrow money or have an unexpected bill due. Many people with serious addictions find themselves spending all their money just to provide for their addictive habits.
Mood Swings
- When you can notice a considerable change and fluctuations in moods, this can be a sign of either a psychiatric condition or it can be the direct result of certain addictions. Some drugs that are abused can alter a person’s brain chemistry and trigger different emotions. The amount of the substance and the frequency of the usage can be linked to major mood swings.
Isolation from friends and family
- It is not uncommon to want to have your solitude. We all need our alone time once in a while. But when you notice that a person that you care about always makes excuses for not wanting to socialize or maybe they have dropped totally off of the map, either way, take note and pay attention. People that struggle with addiction issues commonly spend most of their time in isolation away from prying eyes and ears that could give away their little secret. This practice is not good for the person as keeping connected allows us to share and work through problems before they lead to addiction issues.
Defensive Behaviors
- People that are still in denial about their addictive behaviors will become increasingly defensive about their actions or behaviors. It is natural for someone to defend themselves and try to take the attention off of themselves to stop any further inquiry into their behaviors. If you know someone who gets defensive and lashes out when confronted with the issues at hand, they are not ready to admit there is a problem yet. Sometimes this type of behavior can be best handled by a professional interventionist working with you.
Sleeping habits, eating habits, and energy level changes
- Alcohol and drug addiction play a major role in our sleeping and eating habits. Addiction can play a huge role in the ability to function, sleep and complete tasks. Through the use of stimulants, you would see a rise in the person’s energy levels with little or no food intake, usually resulting in drastic weight fluctuations. Depressants can have a drowning effect or what can seem like depression that is coupled with drowsiness and excessive sleep habits.
Appearance and attitude changes
- When a person has become addicted, they can oftentimes, change their appearance and their way of living. Not too different from mood swings, they will start to treat others differently when they are using, than they would if they were sober. The changes in attitude and appearance can be in part attributed to the types of friends that they must associate with, in order to facilitate their addiction. Generally speaking, drugs or alcohol gives a person a different outlook on life, and in doing so, it sparks an entirely different way of living and dealing with others.
Theft and Stealing
- People that have become addicted to drugs or alcohol will if they continue to use, resort to anything to facilitate their addiction even theft. If you notice that there are things of value (ie; tools, electronics, or money) that have started to become missing around the house, you may want to consider that there is someone in your life that has developed a serious addiction and needs help.
If there is a question about these signs and how to better understand the addiction process, give us a call and we can help you figure out if there is a problem that needs to be handled before it becomes too late. If you are looking for a solution to addiction, and do not know how to confront your loved one, we have a list of interventionists that can help you get your loved one the help that they need. Give us a call and we can get you pointed in the right direction.
1-800-513-5423
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Signs of Addiction
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Nationwide help in finding drug rehabilitation centers for addiction.
Description
Learns the signs of someone struggling with addiction. Give us a call at 1-800-513-5423 for more information.
