The majority of literature individuals find regarding drug addictions covers topics of recovery. Quite often, individuals are suspicious of a loved one’s behavior but unfamiliar with signs of an addition. Therefore, addictions go unnoticed by family members who often do not discover drug abusing relatives or friends until it is too late.
Understand What Leads to Changes
Addiction is rooted in a person’s dependence that is not yet under control. Addiction is both mentally and physically tolling on a person, which causes them to act and look differently, sometimes very early on in their addiction. There are four dominant characteristics and signs to look for when trying to gauge if an individual is addicted to a substance.
- Risky Behavior. A sudden increase in risky behavior is often the clearest sign of an addiction. This behavior is evident when individuals are willing to risk drinking or using drugs while on the job, at recreational activities with family and friends, or during periods when getting caught is a great risk.
Addicts have no regard for whether their family or friends will be affected by their addiction, nor do they care if they lose their job. Addiction is a mental craving that drives a person to perform a certain way regardless of if there is logic to their actions or not.
In addition to using under risky circumstances, addicts may begin lying, stealing money, and taking part in other risky activities.
- Overconsumption. A pressing issue with addicts is that they often deny that they are truly addicted to something. Whether its drugs or alcohol, addicts’ denial often contribute to the fact that they are consuming or using excessively to problems at home or work, anxiety, or stress. They will never truly acknowledge that they have a dependency issue.
Overconsumption is often a trait that addicts go to great length to hide, so it is imperative that you observe them closely in order to tell if they do truly have an issue. These individuals will often try to manipulate the situation and blame you for over-reacting or accuse you of being too judgmental of them. This should not be ignored as addicts often employ these arguments as a way to deflect responsibility for their actions.
- Negligent attitude and actions. This is often one of the most commonly noticed signs of an addiction. Addicts begin losing focus of their daily responsibility and often neglect tasks and projects they are supposed to do. If an individual is in school, they may start skipping class more often, neglect to study, or drop out altogether. Parents begin to neglect their children, stop feeding them appropriately, and may not keep the house clean. Addiction begins to take the center of their lives, so everything else is placed on the back burner of responsibility and neglected.
- Physical changes. Alcoholics and drug addicts alike exert physical symptoms of their addiction. Alcoholics often sweat excessively; have increased anxiety, problems sleeping, shaking, and tremors.
Drug addicts get tremors, muscle cramps, dilated pupils and may clench their teeth more often. They may have unnaturally pitted faces, sudden or drastic unexplained weight loss, and they may even hallucinate.
If you, a loved one or a close friend is suffering from the effects of addiction, you shouldn’t walk that road alone. Asana Recovery has a modern and unique residential treatment facility where we offer a safe and comfortable environment for our clients to focus on what really matters, living a clean and sober healthy lifestyle. We also offer medically assisted detox programs when needed. Call us today to speak with one of our admissions counselors to find out more about our recovery program and how we can aid you in your recovery process.
