While you may not struggle with addiction, educating yourself about the signs of addiction in others is essential. Drug and alcohol use is on the rise in society. As a result, the probability of running into a friend, family member, or acquaintance struggling with addiction is growing. While you may think this is improbable, addiction affects more than you know. If you can recognize these indicators of addiction, you could change the direction of your loved one’s life. In addition, your observation could help someone choose treatment. This article discusses the many red flags that may help you detect substance abuse in others.
Deceit
According to the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, people with an addiction may do anything to conceal their addiction. This can involve withholding information, acting strangely, or failing to answer your inquiries. Along with the initial symptom of deception, people battling with addiction have been shown to lie to cover up their substance abuse habits. This can reveal itself in many situations. For example, some may cancel plans for no reason, while others may resort to stealing.
One typical cause for losing valuable items around the house is that someone in your family is battling addiction. This is a sign because addicts need money to continue their substance use to avoid withdrawal symptoms. So they may do anything, including stealing from the people they care about to pay for alcohol or drugs.
This is not a personal decision. It is due to addiction taking control of a person’s rational thinking. This makes it difficult for them to adhere to deadlines, attend work, and complete projects. When someone you would typically consider dependable and determined starts failing to keep promises, this is a possible symptom of alcohol or drug addiction. This is not because they don’t care but because they are victims of addiction.
Behavior
Noticeable mood swings may be present due to the substance the person is abusing. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), when a drug is ingested, it feeds into the reward circuit. When this circuit is not fulfilled, it causes extreme irritation. Alcohol and illicit drugs can cause various emotional reactions, and the quantity and frequency of usage can result in significant mood swings.
Like weight changes, people battling with addiction frequently alter their manner of life. They show less interest in how they dress, behave, or communicate with those around them. Abuse of substances can lead to a wide range of emotions and behaviors, including hostility, trepidation, and shortness of temper. Alcohol and drug addiction take up a significant portion of a person’s life, leaving them with little time to pursue their previous interests. Substance abuse may be the cause if someone you love isolates themselves, avoids communication with friends and family, and does not participate in their usual lifestyle.
Physical Signs
Many substances directly correlate to metabolism and appetite. Some substances cause appetite to be restricted, or may increase appetite and weight gain. If these weights fluctuate frequently, there may be cause for concern. This may also correlate with an eating disorder categorized as a psychiatric disorder. If both are present, this would be a dual diagnosis.
The psychological impact of illicit drugs and alcohol on the human body can reveal itself physically, but it can also affect the user’s perception. Substance abuse can influence users to create risky relationships and involve themselves in unhealthy or illegal situations. This can also cause substance abusers to think about life differently, sparking a different way of living it. Alcohol and drug addiction can significantly affect an individual’s energy levels, like mood swings. Your loved one may exhibit high activity levels when using drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine. Yet, when using depressants like benzodiazepines or prescription sedatives, the individual may display a form of melancholic depression. This can be accompanied by tiredness or excessive sleep habits.
If your loved one is experiencing memory loss, an alcohol or drug addiction may be the cause. Blackouts are frequently the result of intensive use over a brief period of substance misuse. Therefore, individuals may experience more long-term memory loss as they experience more blackouts. Most illegal substances also directly affect brain function, which can have various negative repercussions, including memory loss.
Finding a New Path
Seeing the signs of addiction in someone you love is a horrible realization. However, your observation could save them from a life of torment. Addressing their behavior and tearing down their state of denial may open the door to them choosing addiction treatment. While you cannot force your loved ones to get better, you can talk to them and show them that there is a way to end this cycle. First Steps Recovery is prepared to serve all clients, which includes families in therapy. All of the team members in the facility have a unique story and role in the client’s journey to sobriety. Everyone deserves an addiction-free life.
The plague of addiction spreads across all aspects of our life. Damage from substance abuse is more significant than we can ever anticipate. At First Steps Recovery, we know how complex and perplexing this process may be, but we also know how to support someone in overcoming their addiction. Our team of specialists and doctors understands the process involved in choosing treatment and empathizes with the people making the decision. If you are looking for treatment options, we urge you to contact our institutions. We want you to live a life free from the suffering of addiction and in true sobriety. Finally, it’s possible to rediscover happiness. For further information, please contact us at (844) 489-0836.
The plague of addiction spreads across all aspects of our life. Damage from substance abuse is more significant than we can ever anticipate. At First Steps Recovery, we know how complex and perplexing this process may be, but we also know how to support someone in overcoming their addiction. Our team of specialists and doctors understands the process involved in choosing treatment and empathizes with the people making the decision. If you are looking for treatment options, we urge you to contact our institutions. We want you to live a life free from the suffering of addiction and in true sobriety. Finally, it’s possible to rediscover happiness. For further information, please contact us at (844) 489-0836.
