While every individual’s experience with substance abuse and addiction may differ, there are common signs and symptoms associated with this serious disease. If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the signs below, finding a professional substance abuse treatment programs are an important step towards recovery. Here are 110 Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction :
#1. Dangerous Decisions
When an individual is struggling with addiction, the need to obtain more of the chosen substance may feel overwhelming. For this reason, they may make increasingly dangerous and poor decisions in seeking out the substance. These activities may include lying, stealing, selling drugs, or engaging in other crimes.
#2. Financial Difficulty
Financial difficulty is often one of the first signs of substance abuse or addiction; as the individual’s addiction becomes more powerful and more demanding, the financial obligations required to sustain the addiction continually grow.
#3. Neglecting Responsibilities
As poor decisions and financial struggles become more prevalent, substance abuse will likely lead to the neglect of personal and professional responsibilities. This may include missing work, school, or other important events, as well as neglecting to plan for and pay bills.
#4. Increasing Tolerance
With prolonged use of substances, it is common to build up a tolerance. This leads to the individual feeling the need to obtain and consume larger and larger amounts of the substance at a time. Tolerance is one of the most dangerous signs and symptoms of addiction as the individual may feel as though they are in control and safe as the effects of the substances become more minimal, but this continually causes them to increase their intake until they are closer and closer to lethal doses.
#5. Physical Dependency
Addiction eventually creates a change in physiology as the individual becomes used to having the substance in their body. When the substance leaves their body, it may become difficult to function normally.
#6. Withdrawal Symptoms
If you or a loved one are trying to become sober you may experience numerous physical symptoms associated with withdrawal. These include:
- Body Aches
- Difficulty Breathing
- Hallucinations
- Tremors
- Anxiety and Depression
- Insomnia
#7. Isolation
The desire to hide substance abuse from friends and family may feel overwhelming, causing one to withdraw entirely. This isolation may be caused by additional factors including addiction induced anxiety and depression, as well as increased paranoia and a perceived stigma surrounding addiction.
#8. Loss of Relationships
Isolation may eventually lead to a loss of relationships with close friends and family. However, this may also be tied to situations related to dangerous decisions or the neglect of personal or professional responsibilities, as discussed previously.
#9. Unhealthy Friendships
Despite isolating themselves from friends and family, individuals struggling with substance abuse may also develop unhealthy friendships with others who are selling or misusing substances. Such friendships may encourage or enable the individual to continue their dangerous habits, while experiencing a misguided sense of comfort among their new friends.
#10. Health Conditions
Extended substance abuse may also lead to serious physical and mental health conditions. These include illnesses like Hepatitis-C, cirrhosis of the liver, stroke, heart attack, vulnerability to infection, liver, kidney, and bone marrow damage, as well as increased depression, aggression, and paranoia.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment Options
Addiction is a powerful force, but there is always hope. These are 10 Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, seek professional help and guidance. At Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire, we offer inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs dedicated to bringing hope to those suffering from substance or alcohol misuse. To take the first step towards recovery, please reach out to us today!