Identifying addiction is an important step in getting the help you need to get sober. If you are trying to figure out if your substance abuse is too much, read on. Drinking and drugs can both be incredibly dangerous to your body long-term. So it’s important to identify when a habit becomes an addiction so you can get help quitting. Often, addicts focus only on getting the substance or getting their next fix. This can be a sign of addiction. In addition, look out for changes in behavior or personality. If you have tried to stop using and are unable to, it can also be a warning sign. And finally, if you are experiencing physical symptoms like withdrawal, it probably means you have an addiction. Hopefully, once you identify the problem, you’ll be able to look into treatment options so that you can get the support you need.
Identifying Addiction: When is it Too Much and Too Hard to Quit?
Lack of Focus
One of the main ways of identifying addiction is to examine your daily thoughts and habits. If you notice that you spend the whole day thinking about how you’ll get high or drunk, it can be a problem. If you are losing focus on other aspects of your life, it can be a major warning sign. For example, if you are struggling at work or maintaining social relationships.
Change in Behavior
Another way of identifying addiction is to notice changes in your behavior. For example, if you are constantly feeling moody or depressed, it can be a sign that addiction is getting more serious. You might also notice that you feel the need to be secretive about your substance abuse. Changes in sleep can also signal an addiction.
Inability to Resist
One of the easiest ways of identifying addiction is to try and stop using for a few days. If you are physically unable to do so, then it’s a clear sign that your body has become addicted to the substance. If you can resist but it is a great hardship, then you might want to take some time to examine your relationship with alcohol or drugs. You might be on a path toward the habit becoming an addiction.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Finally, one of the last ways of identifying addiction is if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. If your body is addicted to drugs or alcohol, then it means that it needs them to function. If you go through withdrawal symptoms when you avoid the substance, it’s a sign from your body that it is in distress without the substance. Some signs of withdrawal are headaches, shaking, nausea, and sweating.
Identifying addiction is an important first step in recognizing when your drinking or drug habit has become a problem. Long-term addiction can lead to many health issues, so it’s important to get the help you need to get clean. Look for signs of addiction by taking stock of how you feel throughout the day. If you notice that you are unable to focus on other things, or if you are experiencing behavioral changes it could be a warning sign. In addition, if you attempt to go a few days without using it and are unable to, then it is a clear sign of addiction. And finally, you can also identify addiction by withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal can be dangerous in some cases, so speak to a doctor before you attempt it on your own. If you do realize you have an addiction, hopefully, you can find the support you need to get clean.