- Addiction can affect anyone. After you realize that you have a problem, you must try to get help right away...
More than 15 million people in the United States suffer from alcohol addiction. Given the shocking opioid epidemic and general increase in drug use since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be concerned for yourself or a loved one who might have wandered into that territory.
If you are feeling concerned, that may be a sign that it’s time for an intervention that includes placement with a rehab facility or intensive outpatient program. Here are five signs that you or someone you know may need help for drug or alcohol abuse.
Impact on Daily Life
Alcohol is one of the most accessible drugs apart from nicotine. Because of that, people can find ways to sneak it quietly into their daily regimen. At first, their loved ones may not notice.
But as soon as the intake begins to have a noticeable impact on one’s daily life, others will catch on. One of the first signs that someone may have an addiction problem is how the use of the substance affects their day-to-day routine.
We’re not speaking only about a struggle with alcohol or drugs. Many have addictions that inhibit them from performing their job or being adequately available to their family, such as to gambling or online shopping.
Addiction can prevent an individual from meeting many responsibilities of his or her life. If someone you know seems to be out of the norm and would rather have a drink than pursue their customary lifestyle, it may be time for an intervention.
Complete Disregard for Harm
When we speak of harm, this does not only apply to the effects on the drug abuser. It also refers to damage the addiction can cause to the people around that person.
Individuals who have become dependent on alcohol or drugs, but would like to pursue recovery, have to undergo a series of therapies to acknowledge and mend the damage they have done to their relationships to the people around them. Those who have a problem won’t be quite there yet.
Those individuals are set to self-destruct as well as place the well-being of themselves and others on the back burner in order to satisfy their addiction. These behaviors could include abuse, outbursts of rage, stealing, or passing blame.
Poor Physical Condition
Sooner or later, the body will show signs of addiction, even if the person is able to withstand the mental and emotional impact that a drug or alcohol has on their life. A person may show such physical signs of addiction as:
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Dilated pupils
- Bloodshot eyes
- Tremors or excessive fidgeting
- Slurred or quickened speech
- Unusual body odors
- Neglecting to bathe or attend to personal hygiene
Though it can be easy to attribute many of these signs to general stress or anxiety, these traits can very easily coincide with substance abuse as well. Seeking professional help is the best way to evaluate someone who may be suffering from an addiction. Cutting alcohol out of diet is one of the best ways to start turning one’s body around.
It’s vital to note such physical factors to avoid the repercussions if the person does not receive the necessary care to avoid further damage, or worst of all, a tragic overdose that ends in death.
Using Drugs or Alcohol to Relax
This one is a huge signal of a potential problem with substance abuse. A casual drinker may have a drink in the evening to unwind after a long day at the office or racing around with the kids.
But when it becomes a regular practice, then it has turned into a problem. If someone feels the need to drink or take drugs in order to relax, that means he or she is unable to operate on their own through healthy alternatives alone.
Becoming dependent is the core sign of an addict. If a person is using and abusing, he or she is certainly not going to be able to rely on the self to cope with the usual means of stress like those who are not dependent.
Startling Changes in Mood
Whether you are trying to spot the signs in yourself, your partner, or even a child, it’s crucial to take inventory of one’s emotions. Anything that may be out of the ordinary in terms of how the individual reacts to certain situations, or does not have access to the usual drug of choice, is a potential warning sign there may be a problem.
Other examples of mood shifts you’ll want to watch for include, but are not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Increased anger
- Inability to focus
- Paranoia or excessive fear
- Hyperactive bursts of energy
If you or a loved one may be suffering from addiction, you want to consider facilitating an intervention. This is an opportunity to evaluate the idea that suitable help may go beyond what you can offer, and you need to place the matter into the hands of professionals.
Remember, deciding to seek help is not defeat. It is an act of courage to gain back a life.