Although there’s a lot more awareness about this topic compared to even just a few years ago, there are still many misconceptions about substance abuse. One of the most common is that the signs of a problem are easy to spot and we would definitely know about it if a loved one had an addiction.
The truth is that it’s often not until a person hits a certain low point that others can positively identify that there’s an addiction present. Up until that point, the sufferer may have done a brilliant job of appearing to have everything under control and friends and families are often left shocked when the revelation comes out.
If you’re worried that you or someone you know could have a drug addiction, below are some of the signs to look out for.
- Responsibilities are being neglected.
- You or the person you’re concerned about is using drugs under dangerous conditions. They may also be taking risks while high such as driving or using dirty needles.
- Using drugs is getting you or the other person into trouble with the law. For example, you may get arrested for possession or committing a crime while high.
- Substance abuse is causing problems with friends, family, work colleagues and your partner. Are you and your partner always arguing about drugs? Are you struggling to pay the bills because all your money is going on getting high? If what you’re doing is causing you problems in your work or personal life, then this is a very clear sign that you have a problem.
- You’ve built up a tolerance and are therefore taking more drugs in order to try and get the same high you’re used to.
- You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you will experience a number of symptoms including nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking and anxiety. If you’re trying to get through the day without getting high and you experience these physical symptoms, you could have an addiction.
- You’ve lost control over your drug use. When we do something a lot, we tend to need more of it in order to continue to get the same rush from it. As the addiction takes hold, we’re more likely to start engaging in riskier and more inappropriate behaviors such as taking harder drugs.
- Your life revolves around taking drugs and you will only socialize with people you know will also be taking drugs. You may find that drug use is consuming your thoughts and you become irritable if you think you won’t be able to use. As a result, you avoid socializing with others because you’re embarrassed about your behavior or because you know you can’t be high while you’re with them.
- You’ve stopped doing the things you used to enjoy because the only thing you seem to like doing these days is getting high. Someone with an addiction will often become more reserved and will quite possibly start trying to avoid others. There’s a strong possibility that you’re embarrassed about your addiction or maybe you’re worried that friends or family will find out about it.
- If you continue to use even though you know it’s causing you harm, this is a clear sign that you have a drug addiction. Eventually, an addiction will take hold of a person’s life. As the desire for a fix becomes all-consuming, you may quit or lose your job, do irresponsible things and stop fulfilling commitments.
- Other signs of a drug addiction can include being distant, irritable and cold towards others. You may also suffer from depression, insomnia, weight loss and generally start looking unhealthy.
If you think that you or someone you know may need to talk to a substance abuse counselor, please feel free to contact Toronto Trauma & Addiction Counselling. We will be able to provide you with more information about substance addiction symptoms and the different treatment options which are available.
