If you are taking any kind of addictive drug, whether it’s legal or illegal, you may be wondering if you need to seek treatment for substance abuse. This article will cover some of the more common signs that someone needs help with drug addiction.
1. You are using an illegal substance that you buy on the black market
Buying an illegal drug on the streets, such as crystal meth or heroin, is full of risk. You could be arrested at any time. Such an arrest would ruin your reputation and possibly your career. You could be fired. An arrest record, especially for a felony, could make it all but impossible to find another job. You could inadvertently get a contaminated drug batch that threatens your health and even your life. You could be robbed or injured by a dealer. Most people wouldn’t take these kinds of risks. Only an addicted person would do so.
2. You steal medications from family and friends
Under the pretext of using the bathroom, you inspect other people’s medicine cabinets for prescription medications that you like. If you find any, you take some or all of the pills for your own use.
3. If you have your own prescription, you run out of medication early
Most controlled substances prescribed for chronic use are authorized and dispensed on a monthly basis. However, your 30-day supply lasts way less than that. Increasing your dosage without your doctor’s knowledge and consent is a sign of someone with a problem.
4. You have tried to quit on your own and cannot
This is a sure-fire sign of an addict. Someone who is not addicted will be able to quit a drug on their own without much trouble. An addicted person will also be unable to even reduce their dose on their own. If they have access to their drug, they will take it until it’s gone.
5. You have been arrested
If you’ve been arrested because of your drug use, even if it’s indirectly related, then you have a problem. This is true of a drunk-driving arrest as well.
6. You have lost your job
If your behavior and abilities on the job have declined due to drug use to the point that even your employer has noticed, then you truly have a problem.
7. Your drug of choice is your primary concern
You repeatedly place your drug above family, work, and friends. You may spend rent or food money on drugs. You have given up most or all of your former hobbies and interests. You spend much of your time obtaining and using your substance. You are obsessed with your drug, and you’re always thinking about how to get more.
8. You experience withdrawal symptoms
When you cannot get your drug of choice, you become physically sick. This is especially true of opioids. Opioid withdrawal is painful and extremely unpleasant. It includes such symptoms as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, bone pain, insomnia, and weakness. It can be severe enough to prevent someone from even doing the most basic tasks. Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates is not just unpleasant. Because of the risk of seizures and aspiration, it can actually be fatal. Always seek professional help when dependence on these drugs is involved.
The tendency for addiction is heavily influenced, but not completely determined, by genes. Someone with an addiction cannot control themselves when it comes to their drug of choice. Addictive drugs like opioids and stimulants cause profound changes to occur in the brain. These changes drive the addicted person to seek more drugs because the brain can no longer function in their absence. Drug addiction isn’t a character flaw. Willpower alone won’t be enough to stop. Most people need professional help to overcome their addictions.
To learn more about your options, please visit https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/.
