Addiction is a complex condition, a brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. The term is most often used with regard to drug abuse or alcohol use, but it can be any activity that is carried to an extreme and can’t be stopped without causing great distress, even though the activity may itself be causing great harm. Someone who is addicted needs professional help and usually doesn’t know it. There are also a variety of treatment programs available in the United States so it can seem daunting trying to find the right program. Lake Arrowhead Recovery Center is here to help you identify if your loved one is suffering from addiction and how they can get help.
Signs Your Loved One May Be Suffering From Addiction
The signs of addiction may be subtle at first. The two most common reasons for this are that in the early stages, the physical damage of drug or alcohol abuse hasn’t taken place yet and the addicted individual can still keep their usage a secret. However, over time, the addiction becomes more powerful and their life becomes unmanageable.
Work or School
A student who has previously made good grades may suddenly start failing or coming close to failing. They lose interest in sports or other school activities. Truancy and an overall decrease in academic performance is an issue. They stop hanging out with their friends and socializing.
A working professional may start calling in sick at work or just now showing up at all. Someone addicted to drugs can also become confrontational with coworkers or clients. Their quality of work will decrease and they probably don’t care about their appearance anymore.
Secrets and Lies
Your loved one may disappear for long periods of time and refuse to say where they have been, or even lie about it. They may deny using drugs or alcohol when confronted and start hiding their use so you don’t see it. They may make promises to stop using drugs or alcohol and you find that they haven’t kept the promise. Money from your wallet may randomly disappear or your loved one will frequently ask to borrow money even though they have a job.
Volatile Moods
Your loved one who has previously been easy-going may suddenly exhibit bursts of rage. They may be happy one minute and suddenly seem depressed the next. Things that once brought them enjoyment may no longer interest them and they become irritable if questioned about why. You’ll try to force them to attend an event that takes time away from their substance abuse, so they refuse to go. You feel like you no longer know who your loved one is and they know nothing about you anymore.
How to Get Them Help
Help is out there for suffering drug or alcohol addicts. If you think someone is struggling, you can confront them and tell them you’re worried about them. You can let them know they’re hurting themselves and need to stop using. You can also use the help of a trained interventionist to do this.
Whether you are confronting your loved one alone or in an intervention, it’s important to remain calm and non-judgmental. You don’t want your loved one to feel attacked, you just want them to know you’re here to help. Reassure them that they aren’t alone and you will stand by them as they undergo treatment.
Let us Help
We know how scary watching someone battle addiction can be. Lake Arrowhead Recovery Center is here to answer all your questions on what to do and help guide you in figuring out the first steps.
We’re an addiction treatment matching service that will work with you to find the best possible help for your loved one. Our help is available 24/7 and most importantly, free. Today could be the start of a wonderful future. Contact us now!