It can be difficult to recognise when you have a problem with addiction. Often, one of the symptoms of addiction is denial – constantly reassuring yourself and others that you have it completely under control and can stop whenever you want. If you suspect that you may have an addiction problem but you aren’t quite sure, this is the article for you. We’re going to take you through some clear signs that might help you in identifying as to whether or not you have a problem.
What is an addiction?
A good place to start is with defining what an addiction actually as. You see, recognising an addiction problem in either you, or someone you know isn’t as simple as you might imagine.
Addiction is defined as being a chronic disease that affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory functions.
Someone who is an addict will crave a particular substance, or other behavioural habits, often ignoring other important aspects of their life. If it progresses for too long, often seeking help from a drug rehab and alcohol rehabilitation centre will be necessary.
Here are some typical signs of addiction:
- A lack of self-control and/or inability to stay away from a certain substance
- Your social life is being affected and you have a tendency to ignore commitments and relationships
- Risk-factors are of little importance to you (e.g., taking a higher dosage / sharing needles).
- You experience any of the following side effects when going through withdrawal: insomnia, irritability, mood swings, depression, anxiety, aches & pains, cravings, fatigue, hallucinations, and nausea. [Source]
The above signs are most commonly linked with drug and alcohol addiction. The intensity of which for each sign will depend on how long you have been battling with your addiction and what substance you are misusing.
Identifying whether you or someone you care about has an addiction
Generally speaking, a healthy person will typically be able to identify any negative behaviour arising in their routine and get rid of it. However, this is not the case for someone who struggles with addiction. More often, rather than admitting to themselves or others that such a problem exists, they instead find ways to justify and continue their behaviour (e.g., they enjoy it, it helps them to deal with stress, it’s more of a hobby than an addiction, etc.).
If you are having trouble identifying whether you have a problem or not, consulting with a drug rehab and alcohol rehabilitation centre can help.
Conclusion
The most crucial step in seeking the help that you need, whether it be drug rehab, or alcohol rehabilitation, is being able to recognise and pick up on the physical mental, and emotional signs. These could be anything from abrupt weight change, alterations in personality toward your friends and family members (or vice versa), and so on.
If you, or someone that you care about is battling with an addiction, head over to https://www.rehabtoday.com/ for more information on how to seek further advice. That way, depending on the nature of the addition, you or your loved one can get the help you need and check into a drug rehab and alcohol rehabilitation centre to begin your recovery journey.
