When you think about addiction, what comes to mind? Perhaps images of people with sunken eyes and a gaunt appearance strung out on drugs or alcohol. While this is an accurate depiction of addiction in some cases, it’s not always the case. Addiction can manifest in many different ways, and often looks very different from one person to the next.
That said, some common signs may indicate that someone is addicted to something. Let us look into the signs of addiction.
Signs of Addiction
If you’re worried that someone you know may be addicted to drugs, alcohol, or another substance, keep an eye out for these signs:
Changes in Behavior or Mood
People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may become withdrawn and secluded, or they may become aggressive and irritable. People who are addicted to other types of substances may also manifest changes in mood or behavior, such as increased anxiety, increased excitability, decreases in sleep quality and quantity, and so on.
Changes in Appearance
This sign can be difficult to detect if you don’t know the person very well, but it’s important to keep an eye out for this because certain drugs can cause significant weight loss or weight gain. It can sometimes be easier to spot changes in someone’s hair (such as a drastic change in color) than to notice that they’ve lost weight over time. We often notice when we lose weight.
Changes like this should be taken into consideration regardless of whether you suspect drug use. However, it could simply be a symptom of a different problem.
Changes in Hygiene
People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may stop taking care of their hygiene. This can manifest as neglecting to bathe or brush teeth, wearing the same clothes for several days in a row, and so on. Again, this is not limited to drug and alcohol addiction – people addicted to other substances may also experience a deterioration in personal hygiene.
Changes in Eating Habits
People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may change their eating habits, either by eating more or less than usual. They may also start binge eating or starving themselves. This can be particularly dangerous if someone is addicted to drugs that affect the appetite, such as amphetamines.
Unexplained Financial Difficulties
People who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may start having financial difficulties. They may miss work, have problems at work, make careless spending choices, lose belongings, and so on. The person may also steal money from friends or family members to buy their drug of choice.
Unexplained Weight Gain
Some people gain weight when they start using a substance known to increase appetite (such as marijuana). If someone you know suddenly starts gaining a lot of weight for no apparent reason over a short time, it could be an indicator that they’re struggling with addiction. This sign can be tough to spot if the individual doesn’t live with you and aren’t around very often.
Changes in Personal Belongings
People addicted to drugs or alcohol may start losing or hiding their personal belongings. This could be anything from important documents like a driver’s license or passport to valuable including jewelry or electronics.
Treatment for Addiction
If you’re worried that someone you know may be addicted to drugs or alcohol, the best thing you can do is talk to them about it. Feel free to reach out to the professionals at The Process Recovery Center for help. There are many different types of treatment available for patients. In preparation for a treatment program, one may consider going through a detoxification process at a detox center Florida to ensure that the person is mentally and physically ready to begin their treatment and gain the maximum benefit from it.
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