Wondering if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction? It can be challenging to make the decision to get help with addiction. But, knowing the signs and symptoms of addiction to look out for can help individuals struggling with addiction to understand they may need professional assistance. When it comes to addiction, there are a number of signs and symptoms to watch out for including physical signs and symptoms, social signs and symptoms, and psychological signs and symptoms.
Physical Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
When a person regularly uses addictive substances, a number of physical symptoms can occur including:
Withdrawal: When a person who is addicted to an addictive substance stops using the substance they depend on, they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may differ depending on what substance is being used. Examples of withdrawal symptoms can include cravings, nausea, stomach pain, headaches, and more.
Sleep Issues: People living with active addiction often experience sleep issues. This can include either sleeping too much or too little. This can occur due to stimulants keeping people awake. And, when the high wears off, catch up with sleep once a binge ends.
Weight Gain or Loss: Addictive substances can affect a person’s weight since they can increase or decrease appetite. For example, stimulants can make eating seem unappealing. However, marijuana is known to increase appetite and lead to overeating. Therefore, weight gain and weight loss can both be physical side effects of addiction.
Social Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
Along with physical signs and symptoms of addiction, there are some social factors that can be affected by addiction. Some of the social signs and symptoms of addiction can include:
Passion Changes: If you or a loved one stops doing what they’re passionate about or sacrifices their priorities in order to maintain the lifestyle of using drugs, this may be a sign of addiction. Often, people who are in the active cycle of addiction will give up the things they’ve previously enjoyed in order to pursue drug use.
Avoidance: People who are struggling with drug abuse and addiction may pull away from the people who love them for fear of judgment. So, not answering the phone, making plans and not showing up, and avoiding social events can be a sign of addiction.
Problems With the Law: Another social issue that can come with addiction is problems with the law. Since using addictive substances can impair judgment, people who use drugs or alcohol in excess may make impulsive decisions that can get them in trouble with the law. So, having legal issues can be a sign or symptom of addiction.
Financial Problems: Issues with money can be a sign of addiction as using drugs and alcohol in excess can become expensive. Moreover, having to pay for legal issues or other issues that may come up as the result of drug abuse and addiction can become expensive as well.
Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
While physical and social signs and symptoms of addiction can be identifiable, they’re not the only symptoms of addiction to look out for. Psychological signs and symptoms of addiction can be the most obvious to loved ones and individuals living with addiction and can include:
Impulsive Decisions: Addictive substances can influence a person’s decision-making as they can impair judgment. Some examples of impulsive decisions can include unsafe sex practices, drunk or high-driving, theft, and more.
Using Drugs or Alcohol Even if Physical Symptoms Appear: If a person is using drugs or alcohol even though they’ve noticed that they are experiencing physical issues as a result of drug or alcohol abuse, this can be a signifying factor of addiction.
Not Being Able to Stop Using: Another characteristic of addiction is the inability to stop using despite the consequences of using drugs or alcohol. So, if you or a loved one is not willing or able to stop quitting the use of drugs or alcohol, this may be a sign of addiction.
Getting Help for Addiction at Delray Center for Recovery
Are you noticing the signs and symptoms of addiction in your own life or the life of a loved one? If so, there is help available. Delray Center for Recovery offers outpatient care for people who are struggling with addiction. Find out more about how we can help on our website today.