What are the Signs of Addiction?

Addiction is a serious issue, whether it be to alcohol or drugs. It can be difficult to recognise if you or someone you know has an addiction problem, and when they need residential addiction treatment.

Addiction is defined as a chronic disease which affects many of the brain’s functions such as reward, motivation and memory. If you have an addiction, you will crave a substance or type of behaviour, and you will ignore the other areas of your life to maintain your desire.

Common signs of addiction are:

You have a lack of control or an inability to stay away from the substance or behaviour
You experience decreased socialisation or you pull out of commitments or ignore your relationships
You ignore other risk factors such as sharing needles despite being aware of consequences
There are physical effects such as withdrawal symptoms or requiring a higher dosage to feel the effect

The intensity of your addiction may depend on how long it has been going on or the type and amount of the substance you use. Individuals without addictions can often identify a negative behaviour and remove it from their life, however if you have an addiction, you will find a way to justify the addiction rather than getting rid of it.

In order to get help, you must recognise the signs of addictions. These may be physical, mental or emotional. For example, you may experience changes in your personality, your weight, or how your loved ones act around you.

There are many types of substances you can be addicted to. It may include one or multiple of these:

Nicotine
Tobacco
Alcohol
Inhalants such as deodorant
Cannabis
Ice
Heroin
Cocaine
GHB
Prescription drugs

There are also various behavioural addictions, such as:

Gambling
Shopping
Video games
Internet
Sex
Working

Whatever it is that you are addicted to, it is important to recognise the signs early on and seek help if required.

Often, individuals with addictions show signs, such as:

Lacking interest in previously enjoyed hobbies
Neglecting loved ones
Missing important events
Taking risks
Ignoring consequences of actions
Keeping secrets
Bloodshot eyes
Change in weight
Memory loss
Changes in mood
Aggression

Addictions can severely impact your life. For this reason, it is important to reach out and get help, so you can begin to move forward with your life and go down a healthier path.

If you’re struggling with an addiction, The Hader Clinic Queensland can help you understand how you can get on the road to recovery.