Recognizing an Addiction Problem
Part 1 of 6: Recognize
Recognizing A Problem
Recognizing an addiction problem can be harder than it
seems. Addicts are often skilled at hiding their behavior, even from their
closest friends and family members. Also, what may seem like an addiction could
be an experimental phase or how a given person copes with stressful
circumstances. But addiction is chronic and usually degenerative, or gets worse
over time. Without help in the early stages, an addiction may turn into a
debilitating and life-threatening condition.
No matter the type of addiction, it’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if necessary.
No matter the type of addiction, it’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if necessary.
Part 2 of 6: Early Behavior
Early Behavior
In the early stages, a person might not show telltale signs
of a full-blown addiction. When it comes to common behaviors like drinking or
smoking, it may be that a person is simply using a substance socially or casually.
Therefore, it can be difficult to determine whether or not the behavior is
unhealthy or how long it might last. But, even in the early stages, some clues
may be present. Signs include:
- being particularly drawn to an activity or substance
- seeking out situations where the substance or activity is present
- episodes of binging or loss of control
Part 3 of 6: Alienation
Alienation
Once a person moves past experimenting or the early
phase of addiction, he or she will likely begin to alienate friends and family,
pushing away the people who care about them. Addicts tend to surround
themselves only with others who either encourage or emulate their addictive
behavior. An addict typically won’t put himself or herself in social situations
where he or she cannot use their substance of choice or perform the addictive
behavior.
At first, alienation may be infrequent, but it will typically progress over time. An addict will try to hide the addictive behavior from loved ones—especially those who may try to stop it. It’s common for addicts to completely cut off contact with their families, friends, spouses, or children. They will avoid phone calls, ignore text messages, and even refuse to answer the door.
At first, alienation may be infrequent, but it will typically progress over time. An addict will try to hide the addictive behavior from loved ones—especially those who may try to stop it. It’s common for addicts to completely cut off contact with their families, friends, spouses, or children. They will avoid phone calls, ignore text messages, and even refuse to answer the door.
Part 4 of 6: Deteriorating Health
Deteriorating Health
Another way to recognize addiction is to pay attention
to the individual’s health. Whether the addiction is to a drug or behavior, the
addict’s health will almost always decline. Constant illness, injuries, or
chronic fatigue may be signs of a problem. The skin, hair, teeth, and nails of
an addict may also be in poor condition. This is especially true when the person
is abusing illicit drugs like methamphetamines or cocaine. The person may also
have a strange sleep schedule or will constantly miss work and other important
obligations.
The person’s mental and emotional health may also suffer. The following could be signs of a problem:
The person’s mental and emotional health may also suffer. The following could be signs of a problem:
- sudden changes in mood
- aggressive behavior
- irritability
- depression
- apathy
- suicidal thoughts
Part 5 of 6: Life Consequences
Onset of Life Consequences
In the middle or later stages of an addiction, the
addict will experience negative results from the addiction. These consequences
may be limited to an addict’s personal life, but could include professional or
legal problems as well. Some common consequences include:
- dropping out of school or poor grades
- missing work or neglecting important obligations
- damaged relationships with friends and family
- loss of good standing or tarnished reputation
- accidents, injuries, or hospitalizations as a result of addictive behavior
- arrests or jail time
- eviction from the home or failed mortgage payments
- loss of job
- loss of parental rights
Part 6 of 6: Excuses
Tendency to Make Excuses
Despite the concern of friends and family, an addict
will almost always deny the seriousness of his or her addiction. Making excuses
is common among addicts. Whether they know they are addicted or not, they will
deny it to others. The person will usually have a number of reasons to excuse
their behavior.
While a non-addicted person can usually see a negative behavior and eliminate it, this is not the case with an addict. Rather than admit the problem exists, addicts must convince themselves and others why it’s okay to continue the behavior. This is why an intervention or trying to force an addict into treatment often fails. Until an addict “hits bottom” and wants help, he or she won’t be able to admit that they need help. In most cases, an addict must want to change in order for recovery to be successful.
While a non-addicted person can usually see a negative behavior and eliminate it, this is not the case with an addict. Rather than admit the problem exists, addicts must convince themselves and others why it’s okay to continue the behavior. This is why an intervention or trying to force an addict into treatment often fails. Until an addict “hits bottom” and wants help, he or she won’t be able to admit that they need help. In most cases, an addict must want to change in order for recovery to be successful.