If your loved one has a problem with substances, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. You want to help, but don’t know how. Perhaps you’ve noticed changes in their behaviors or habits that have led you to believe they are struggling with drugs or alcohol. How can you be sure if the person needs addiction treatment? There are signs you can look for to determine if your loved one needs addiction treatment.
Be Cautious of Enabling Behaviors
Enabling behaviors typically involve doing things for the addict that they should be doing themselves. This enables them to continue their substance abuse without having to face any consequences or work toward sobriety themselves. Enabling behaviors can include buying alcohol for your loved one, letting them live with you rent-free, bailing them out of jail, lying for them, or covering up their substance abuse problems.
If you find yourself helping the addict in any way that compromises your own well-being or jeopardizes your responsibilities to others, then it is time to seek addiction treatment for them. Visit this website to find out more.
Continued Drug Use Even After Health or Legal Consequences
Addiction is characterized by compulsively engaging in substance abuse, despite negative consequences. Some signs of addiction include losing interest in activities that used to be enjoyable or important, failing to meet work or school obligations regularly, and continuing to use drugs or alcohol even after having experienced significant health or legal consequences.
Addiction is a chronic disease and requires long-term treatment to manage the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings that may occur when someone stops using drugs or alcohol after developing a dependence on them. If these behaviors are present in your loved one, it’s important to get them into addiction treatment as soon as possible.
Strive for Healthy Relationships
If you find yourself constantly arguing with or abusing your loved one, it may be time to seek addiction treatment for them. If their substance abuse is affecting your ability to maintain healthy relationships with others, this could also indicate a need for professional addiction treatment. Abusing substances can lead to mood swings, irritability, and depression. It is important to recognize when the relationship has become toxic so that you can work toward restoring healthy communication with your loved one or seeking addiction treatment for them before other relationships are jeopardized.
Notice Changes in Personal Hygiene and Physical Appearance
If you’ve noticed that your loved one has been neglecting their physical appearance and personal hygiene, it may be a sign of addiction. Addiction can lead to loss of appetite or overeating. It also often leads to changes in sleeping habits, like oversleeping or difficulty falling asleep at night. If you notice these signs in your loved one, it is time to seek cocaine addiction treatment for them.
Compromised Ability to Manage Emotions
Compulsive substance abuse can cause a person to experience severe mood swings and problems with managing emotions. Addiction can lead to paranoia, delusions, and an increased risk of suicide attempts. Irritability and anxiety can also be signs of addiction, as well as paranoia and fearfulness about being discovered while they are high.
If your loved one has been feeling extreme emotional highs and lows or engaging in reckless or out-of-character behaviors, it is important to seek addiction treatment for them as soon as possible.
Hoarding Money and Lying About Existing Resources
Someone who has developed an addiction has probably started lying about how much or how often they drink or use drugs. They may begin stealing money or valuables from friends, family members, or co-workers to support their habits. If you notice these behaviors in your loved one, it is time to seek help for them before their substance abuse becomes uncontrollable. Once the lying and stealing become uncontrollable, addiction has probably developed into a problem that requires addiction treatment.
Addiction is a serious disease that impacts the brain’s ability to make sound judgments. If your loved one has lost interest in activities or social interactions, or if they continue to use drugs even after suffering consequences like legal issues, it may be time to get them into addiction treatment. The earlier someone gets help for their substance abuse problem, the better their chances of recovery.
