Drug addiction is a condition that strikes millions of people each year. The current count of people who are struggling with drug dependency is well over 23 million. Therefore, you don’t have to feel ashamed or embarrassed that you may be struggling. Effective help is available. You just have to recognize that a problem exists and then admit it so that you can get the care you need. The following are seven signs that indicate that you may need to seek drug treatment:
- You’ve Established a Routine
One of the most familiar symptoms of being addicted to something is that there’s a routine involved. It may just be time to look for help if you find that you are using substances every day. Such frequent use indicates that you feel that you can’t do without them. In some cases, weekly use can indicate a habit or addiction. It’s better to assume that you have a habit and investigate it further than it is to dismiss it and continue the activity.
2. You Get Sick When You Don’t Use
Physical withdrawals are a common symptom of drug and alcohol addiction. You may start to feel ill if you do not consume the alcohol or the drug. Symptoms that you may exhibit include symptoms such as sweating, nausea, vomiting, muscle pains and more. You may exhibit psychological symptoms such as depression or irritability, as well. These signs tell you that your body has gotten used to a foreign substance, and now it must rely on that substance to operate “normally.” Detox is the only resolution for physical addiction.
3. You Have a New Group of Friends
When addiction strikes, affected persons tend to change their circle of friends. People usually spend time with other people who are into the same things that they’re into. You may notice that your old friends have faded away, and your new circle of friends consists of only people who engage in drug-seeking activities.
4. You’ve Lost Your Job
When substance usage becomes your main goal and focus, important things take a backseat. It may be time for you to search for treatment if you’ve recently lost your job because of absences or misconduct that involved drug or alcohol use. If you are in school, you may have attendance issues, or your grades may have slipped because of the habits, as well. Another indicator may be that your sleeping habits have changed. Your sleep may be scarce or too abundant. You may find that you are not eating because you spend so much time satisfying a craving for the substance.
5. Your Hygiene Has Slipped
Substance abuse has a reputation for hitting people in the most personal and sacred of areas. It even hurts people in the area of personal hygiene. Daily duties such as bathing, teeth brushing and other general hygiene tasks may decline in frequency. You may develop sicknesses because of the decline in your hygienic efforts, as well. Many people start losing their teeth because of substance abuse. In fact, it’s quite the common trait in persons who use methamphetamine and crack cocaine, but it can happen when any substance interferes with one’s natural inclination to stay clean and healthy. Do not feel ashamed if this has happened to you. Just take it as a sign that you may have to seek some help to overcome the addiction.
6. Your Personal Relationships Are Failing
Personal relationships with people you love like your children, family members and spouse may deteriorate for a number of reasons. Infidelity and neglect may enter the relationships because of your newfound commitment to the habit. Other wrongs may occur between you and your family members that cause them to have to distance themselves from you. Alternatively, the distance may be your doing because of shame, embarrassment, or the lack of care that often arises when one is consumed by substance abuse.
7. You’re Involved in Criminal Activities
You may find yourself doing things that you would not normally do, and those things may involve criminal activities. There’s a whole slew of unlawful crimes that people commit in the name of substance abuse. It doesn’t matter which crimes you may be guilty of committing. It’s more important that you see it as a sign that you need to get some help.
If you recognize some of the previously mentioned indicators in yourself or a loved one, it may be time to consult with a reputable drug rehabilitation facility. Examine the symptoms and be honest with yourself about what may be happening to you. Millions of people have fallen victim to addiction, so you will not be the first or the last. Admitting that you need help isn’t the end of the world. It’s the beginning of a new life.
