Nobody ever intends to fall into the grip of a substance abuse problem. Those who do often fail to notice the warning signs until they’ve suffered severe consequences in various aspects of their lives, such as their health, family, relationships, and jobs.
Over time, when drugs or alcohol are used consistently, they affect the brain’s functioning. There isn’t a precise moment when drug use transforms into addiction, but there are common indicators of a problem.
Here are ten signs that you might be struggling with a substance use disorder.
Increased Usage
Have you noticed your substance use has increased over time? Perhaps you started with a small amount of alcohol at night, but now you need a whole bottle to achieve the same effect. This increase in consumption is known as tolerance. Your brain adapts to the presence of the substance, requiring more to achieve the desired feeling.
Frequent Use
As you build tolerance to certain substances through long-term use, you may develop a dependency. This means your brain has grown accustomed to regular exposure to the drug, and you experience withdrawal symptoms if you try to reduce or stop your use. If you need a drug as often as you need food or water, it’s a red flag. Frequent substance use can negatively impact your daily activities.
Constant Cravings
When you rely on a substance to feel good and ward off withdrawal symptoms, it dominates your thoughts. Your drug of choice becomes essential to your survival, similar to the need for food and water. Responsibilities like relationships, school, work, and more become less important because they no longer seem “necessary” for daily life.
Hidden Use
You might justify hiding your drug use from friends and family to prevent them from worrying or passing judgment. This secrecy can lead to deception and evasion, ultimately deceiving yourself.
Financial and Job Consequences
Many drugs are costly and consume a significant portion of your finances to sustain your habit. As your addiction worsens, you’ll require more of the substance, potentially resulting in poor performance and neglected responsibilities at home or work. Continued use could increase absences or job loss, exacerbating your financial woes.
Failed Attempts to Cut Back
No matter how often you attempt to adhere to usage limits, you often consume excessive amounts throughout the day. Addiction has a biological component that makes quitting without professional help difficult. Even if you manage to stop briefly, stress and environmental triggers can lead to relapse if you haven’t developed healthy coping strategies.
Impaired Self-Regulation
Prolonged drug use can alter the brain’s functioning, impairing impulse control. You may disregard your limits or engage in risky behavior you wouldn’t have considered before using.
Withdrawal Symptoms
If you’re dependent or addicted, you risk experiencing uncomfortable physical, emotional, and mental symptoms when you try to quit or reduce your use. Symptoms vary among individuals and substances but may include headaches, irritability, hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety, or depression. These symptoms occur because your body has become reliant on the drugs. Addiction treatment can help you manage and eventually overcome them.
Loss of Interest in Life
Your life needs more purpose and motivation beyond getting high. Activities that once brought joy and hobbies you enjoyed no longer interest you. Now, your time and money revolve around your drug of choice.
Legal or Health Problems
A substance abuse problem can lead to legal issues such as DUIs or possession charges. Additionally, risky behavior associated with drug use can contribute to severe physical and mental health problems, including infections, heart and liver diseases, gastrointestinal issues, stroke, depression, and anxiety.
You’re not alone if you recognize yourself in any of these situations. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, over 20 million Americans aged 12 and older have a substance use disorder.
Substance use disorder is a complex condition influenced by behavioral, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Like other chronic diseases, addiction can be successfully treated. Accredited rehab programs can help you recover from the physical and mental effects of your substance use and teach you healthy ways to manage your emotions and triggers. You can find recovery and lead a healthy, productive life!
Remember, you can overcome addiction. Don’t let outdated stigmas prevent you from seeking the help you need.
Bradford’s recovery advisors are available 24/7 at 205-947-3668.