Addiction includes physical and mental need to keep using drugs or alcohol, despite the damage it causes in your life. Moreover, many types of substance addictions exist, ranging from drugs like marijuana and cocaine to prescription painkillers and alcohol. Although the vast number of drugs and alcohol have their own unique symptoms of addiction, some common signs exist.
Six Common Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
For example, six common symptoms of addiction include:
- Cravings for the drugs or alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal when not using the substance
- Using more and more of the substance for the same effects, due to tolerance
- Poor judgment and negative behaviors like lying, stealing and risky activities
- Dependence on the substance and needing it to function
- Focus on getting more of the substance, called “drug seeking”
Each of these signs or symptoms of addiction exist from early in physical dependence on the substance. Therefore, you can see these signs in the beginnings of addiction or years into the disease.
Other Symptoms of Addiction
Relationship damage is one of the saddest effects of addiction. Your relationship with your loved one who abuses drugs or alcohol likely suffers each day. Furthermore, this damage also affects their other relationships, such as employment and friendships.
Your loved one using drugs or alcohol likely suffers financial problems, too. After all, buying drugs costs a lot of money. Many people drain their bank accounts and lose belongings to continue using.
Neglect of home, family, work, and school responsibilities also signals addiction. In fact, the same is true for development of unhealthy friendships. People addicted to substances tend to isolate themselves, spending a great deal of time alone when not in the company of other people with addictions.
Seeing the Symptoms and Signs of Addiction in Someone You Love
If you see these signs and symptoms in someone you love, they likely suffer addiction. Knowing this provides you with power, however. That power includes the awareness to urge them to gain the treatment they need.
Maryland treatment for drugs or alcohol addiction at Ashley Addiction Treatment includes individual, group, and family addiction counseling. This means you and your loved one heal from addiction together. They get the rehabilitation they need from experts in addiction treatment programs. In addition, you get to focus on your needs and join them in family counseling to rebuild a healthier relationship.
If you see the signs of addiction, contact Ashley Addiction Treatment for help. Call 866-313-6307 for more information about addiction treatment and intervention.