While a drug addiction may seem obvious to outsiders, it can be difficult to see the warning signs of addiction in oneself. What might seem like a relatively harmless hobby or once-or-twice experiment might be affecting your life and relationships in a more serious way than you realize. In this blog post, we’ll take you through a few common symptoms that can help you recognize if you have a problem.
Common Physical Effects of Addiction
The exact nature of the physical repercussions of drug use varies by drug type. Even so, there are a few common symptoms that can help you identify whether you may be physically addicted to a substance. One such symptom is the presence of intense, unavoidable cravings that wear you down and make it difficult to focus until you use the substance in question. Another is that you develop a tolerance and eventually require more and more of a drug to achieve the same effects.
Similarly, you may become very ill when you aren’t using the substance as a result of withdrawal. It may be easy to chalk this illness up to an upset stomach or a virus, once or twice, but ongoing sickness that is present whenever you haven’t used and which gets better when you use again is an earmark symptom of withdrawal. If you notice that you don’t feel well when you haven’t used, even if it’s subtle, you may be experiencing the first symptoms of physical addiction.
Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Signs
In addition to physical symptoms like those described above, there are a number of behavioral, emotional, and mental red flags that can help you recognize a problem, as well. One of the key aspects of an addiction is that it begins to erode the fabric of your relationships with friends, loved ones, employers, etc.
Have you been reprimanded at work for unreliable behavior or for coming to work impaired? Have family members expressed concern over you being different or, more directly, accused you of abusing a certain substance? If so, give their words serious consideration; these could be gentle nudges to tell you that you may have a problem.
You may also notice that your thoughts and actions tend to center themselves around opportunities to use a certain substance. Do you get nervous that you won’t have the chance to use and worry that it will completely throw off your day? Do you feel like you just don’t function as well without using your preferred substance? Have you been hopping from doctor to doctor to obtain large amounts of a medication? Do you tell yourself that it’s okay because it helps you be a better, more productive person? All of these aspects could be hints that your life is beginning to revolve around drug use and not around your other goals and responsibilities.
Get the Compassionate Addiction Treatment You Deserve at BlueCrest Recovery Center
If you experience any of these symptoms and believe you may be a drug addict—whether you’ve been using for years or are just beginning to experience symptoms of addiction and withdrawal—it’s time to seek professional help. The rehabilitation experts at BlueCrest Recovery Center can help you find your way back to sobriety and health with outpatient detox, personally tailored substance abuse therapy, and numerous other support resources.
To learn more about how BlueCrest Recovery Center can help you get back to living the life of your dreams, get in touch with us today.
