Signs Someone Close Might Be Hooked On Drugs Or Alcohol

Posted by on January 12, 2012

Seeing first-hand what a drug or alcohol addiction can be eye-opening. Relationships of all types have been strained due to addiction, and getting help for a loved one seems invasive and intimidating. Convincing someone you love they need help can be incredibly difficult. The drug addiction help is meant to help get these loved ones better again, and the first thing to do is deciding whether or not this loved one is addicted or simply struggling with something else.

Addiction

Seeing a loved one struggle with a harmful drug or alcohol addiction can be devastating. However, sometimes drug or alcohol addiction is not immediately obvious. A family member or friend might simply be acting unlike themselves and give you cause to worry. There is a host of symptoms to keep an eye out for if you are concerned a loved one might be a victim of addiction, and simply knowing some of the major symptoms can save a life. These include both physical symptoms, such as sudden weight loss or weight gain, consistently red eyes or runny nose, or simply looking unwell, as well as behavioral symptoms, such as mood swings, apathy, and anxiety.

Mood

Personality changes are a big part of addiction. Not only would a dependent person be prone to drastic mood swings, but they might also change the way they dress, start hanging out with different people, and distance themselves from close family and friends. Someone who might normally be cheerful and optimistic would appear depressed or hostile.

Addiction

The list of symptoms of dependency goes on and on. However, many of these symptoms can be attributed to other problems, such as depression,illness, anxiety, and more. Even though these symptoms might not point to drug or alcohol abuse, they should not be ignored. In fact, these problems can be just as serious and deserve just as much attention. Should the person in question exhibit a sudden change in symptoms, such as one getting worse, then drugs could be the cause it should be addressed immediately with drug addiction treatment.

Relapse

Relapse is always a looming threat when recovering from a dependency. Similar to the initial diagnosis, relapse also has warning signs to keep an eye out for. Complacency is one of the most worrisome of these signs. Someone who is recovering from drug use might feel they have won the battle. They will stop participating in residential drug treatment rehab center and will tell themselves they are free from the drug forever. What makes complacency so delicate is that a loved one might accept the idea also. Blame and manipulation are two more signs of relapse. The person recovering from addiction might not feel a sense of personal responsibility and will lash out and blame others. While sympathy is certainly important, but a big part of recovery is regaining a sense of control over life, and personal responsibility is directly tied to this control.

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