Signs of Addiction: How to Recognise When You Need Help

One of the defining characteristics of drug or alcohol addiction is the feeling of losing control over whether or not you take the substance. This is especially true for a person who has already researched and understands the inevitable negative outcomes on their body, mind and personal life.

During the first few times of trying a substance, nobody sets out with the intention of growing addicted. The motivation is usually for recreation and to experience something new. Yet, for every substance with addictive properties, misuse and abuse can set in quicker than people realise. If you find your efforts to refrain from taking a drug are fruitless, it may be a clear sign that professional help is needed before addiction deepens.

Addiction undoubtedly has negative consequences on the mind, but these can sometimes be more difficult to identify than physical, tangible changes to your body. One of the clearest signs of addiction is a decline in physical health, especially when no other cause is present. This could appear as changes in weight, frequent illness, or constant fatigue.

It is sometimes difficult to recognise these kinds of changes, and instead, we first hear them mentioned by people who care about us. However, addictions frequently lead people to isolate and see less of their loved ones, meaning physical changes go unnoticed by others or, sadly, dismissed by oneself. If your health is noticeably suffering and you feel drug or alcohol use is a factor, professional support may become essential.

Developing an addiction to almost any substance means that your tolerance of its effects will strengthen over time. Naturally, this means more of the substance is needed to achieve the same results. This is a key indicator of growing dependence on a drug.

On the other side of this coin is withdrawal. When you make an effort to abstain from a drug you are addicted to, there will likely be physical and emotional symptoms of withdrawal. These can range in duration and intensity, but can often include irritability, anxiety and nausea. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms is a clear indicator that alcohol or drug addiction is at play.

The process of addiction formation is understood to be profoundly heterogeneous, meaning that an almost uncountable number of factors contribute to addiction development. However, behavioural researchers have found some recurring changes in behaviour for people struggling with substance use disorders. These include becoming more impulsive, restless, aggressive, delusional and depressed. Activities that once brought you joy may fall to the wayside as an addiction takes up more of your time and energy.

Friends and family will likely be the first to notice these shifts, commenting on mood, attitude, or reliability changes. If you’ve heard this from people around you, especially those you know have your best interests at heart, then it’s worth reflecting on whether there is a deeper problem unfolding.

If alcohol or drug addiction is developing, you’ll become increasingly preoccupied with thoughts of the substance, including when you’ll next use it, how you’ll get it, or how you’ll sort the money for it. You may notice your thoughts circling back to the drug when you’re doing completely unrelated activities and in the early hours after waking up.

Take note if you feel as though there is a mental loop that drives you back to thoughts of the drug. If cravings or plans constantly hijack your desire to do healthier activities for the next use, the grounds for deep addiction may be forming.

We all understand that having an honest and reflective conversation with yourself about substance use is easier said than done. Almost every person has a crutch or is addicted to a substance or activity they’d rather give up. However, making a tangible reflection or journaling your relationship with a drug can provide the grounds for genuine insight. In a notebook, write down the ways that substance use affects your physical and mental health, relationships and daily activities, such as:

• Does substance use affect your day at work?
• How does your spouse or your loved ones feel about the drug?
• How much money would you save if you stopped?
• Do I think I’ll still be taking this drug in 5 years? 10 years?

These questions can lead you to create your own even more personal questions. The factors of each will be completely personal to you, but writing them down can help you objectify your relationship with a substance and how it serves you in the long run.

If you feel like addiction is developing, then only so much analysis can be carried out by you alone. It will greatly benefit you to speak with your GP to assess the extent of your substance use and connect you to the right services. They will know local addiction treatment providers and support groups that can help you gauge the extent of your addiction before it worsens.

Opening up to friends or family and letting them know what you’re going through will be a powerful step. Addiction sadly thrives in silence and festers in inaction. Avoiding honest conversations or isolating yourself from people close to you will only worsen your state, so break that silence and speak with people you trust and love.

Our last step of recommendation is to contact professionals who specialise in detox. Depending on the substance and your level of dependence, different degrees of professional support may be needed. Treatment plans with inpatient rehab and therapy can provide you with the environment and the tools needed to break free from addiction. Trained therapists are especially skilled at helping you contextualise root causes and traumas that underpin addictive behaviours. With healthier coping strategies, you can shake free from the shackles of addiction and step into the kind of future you truly desire.