How Can I Tell If I’m Addicted?

It can be difficult to determine if you are actually addicted to drugs or alcohol. Being aware of your own psychological and physical state of dependence can take time and lots of consideration. In most cases, a doctor’s assessment is necessary to determine with assurance whether or not you need professional help.

If you find out you do need help, we’ll help you find the best treatment options for your safe recovery. Call 800-996-6135(Sponsored) today to learn about detox centers that offer the most effective care for your current needs.

Drug Use and Addiction

Using addictive drugs and alcohol always carries some dangers. After all, these substances change the way people think and act. They can also have severe effects on your physical health, especially when you use too much. Still, there is a difference between substance abuse and addiction.

• Some people might drink too much or experiment with drugs and not get addicted. Addiction doesn’t always occur on the first use. However, with some substances, like crack cocaine, it can.
• Most of the time, the risk of addiction is associated with continued, frequent drug abuse as well as certain variables like biological, environmental, and developmental factors. These conditions are why some people become addicted when they abuse drugs and others don’t.
• In most cases, frequent, problematic drug abuse is what leads to addiction. People who use drugs and alcohol in large quantities are often the most likely to become addicted, but other factors can always weigh in.

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Any addictive substance can start working its dangerous effects on the individual the first time they start to abuse it. This is because the distinction between addiction and substance abuse is use that is out of the individual’s control.

• When a person abuses a drug, it floods the brain with dopamine. This causes the individual to feel very good, which translates to a euphoric high. However, the individual will often “come down” afterwards, experiencing an exhausted or depressive state.
• When substances are abused over time to achieve this high, it changes the way the brain works. The brain begins to rely on the drug to create these euphoric effects. As a result, it becomes harder for the brain to produce its own neurotransmitters that are meant to regulate emotions. As such, the individual becomes dependent on the drug.
• Addiction comes after dependence. In most cases, the individual will have been abusing the drug for a long time and will begin to put that use ahead of anything else. Responsibilities, loved ones, and everything else will matter less to them than getting their next fix. They may also act dangerously, lie, steal, or do other things to ensure they get more of the drug. This compulsive abuse is the hallmark of addiction.
• Finally, the individual will be addicted to and dependent on the drug, which will not allow them to make their own decisions any longer. They will be unable to stop using the drug, even if they want to and even if they realize it is causing problems in their life. They will need professional help.

These are the clear distinctions between substance abuse and addiction. When a person has started abusing addictive substances and is not addicted yet, they should be able to stop on their own. Once they become addicted, treatment will be necessary.

The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

It’s important to understand the signs of addiction. Whether you are trying to tell if you might be addicted or if someone you love could be suffering from this condition, the more you know, the clearer the picture becomes.

The Physical Signs of Addiction

Different drugs of abuse have different physical signs. You can determine if someone is grappling with this issue if they consistently show more than one of these signs:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Small or large pupils (depending on the substance)
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Dropping or gaining a lot of weight suddenly and without warning
• Being sick all the time, as in runny nose, coughing, sneezing, etc.
• Strange smells on one’s breath or clothes
• Slurred speech
• Trouble walking or coordination problems
• Shaking
• You are also likely to notice physical symptoms as a result of several different withdrawal syndromes. For example, opioid withdrawal looks similar to the flu. Alcohol withdrawal can cause a person to experience severe tremors, while benzodiazepine withdrawal can also cause seizures.

The Psychological Signs of Addiction

When you start to realize that the way someone thinks and feels is changing, this can be a strong sign of a serious substance use disorder. Psychological signs of addiction include:

• Feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, etc., when you are unable to use drugs
• The intense desire for drug abuse, also known as cravings
• A need for more of the drug to create the same effects as a smaller dose used to create (also known as tolerance)
• Apathy toward activities, people, and other things that used to matter to you
• Sudden and unexplainable mood swings
• A lack of motivation toward your work, school, hobbies, etc.

The Behavioral Signs of Addiction

When people become addicted to drugs, their behaviors change, along with their feelings, emotions, and priorities. Some of the common behavioral symptoms include:

• Making excuses to use drugs or alcohol
• No longer caring about your physical appearance or hygiene
• Acting secretively to hide substance abuse—or the extent of it—from others
• Using drugs even when you are by yourself
• Missing out on important responsibilities (such as work or school) to use drugs

Any of these signs could be indicators of dangerous drug abuse that has become addictive. Even if you recognize some of these in yourself, it is important to truly question whether or not you may have a full-blown addiction.

What If I Am an Addict?

It’s helpful to ask yourself if your substance abuse may have gotten out of control, and if you may require treatment. However, make sure to let a medical professional analyze you for a substance use disorder, whether in treatment or in a doctor’s office. Your physician can administer a blood test and use the pre-defined criteria to determine if you have a substance use disorder. This is the only way to know for sure if you are suffering from addiction.

If you are suffering from addiction, the important thing to remember is that you have given yourself a great gift. You have admitted that you have a problem. Now, you must take the next step, which is asking for help.

• Addicted individuals can’t put a stop to their substance abuse without help. Even if they try, they will have a high likelihood of relapse because of their intense attachment to the drug. Addiction is similar to other chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma. As such, this means it requires proper treatment.
• Addiction treatment often starts with detox. Detox allows the patient to formally undergo withdrawal so they will no longer be dependent on the drug. The process occurs under the supervision of medical practitioners to ensure client safety. In time, the client will begin to transition from detox to rehab. Detox alone is not a full-scale addiction treatment. It only helps the individual put an end to their dependence. As a result, it must be followed by rehab or another form of professional medical care.
• Those who undergo proper treatment may require more than one treatment stint to build a strong recovery.  However, those who do seek professional care see overwhelmingly better results in recovery than those who do not.

How Do I Find Out If I Am Addicted to Drugs or Alcohol?

If you’re unsure whether you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, the best solution is to visit your trusted healthcare provider for a thorough assessment. If you find out if you are likely a candidate for addiction treatment, then help is available right in your backyard.

Our treatment advisors are available to discuss your results and determine your next step forward. They can also help you find accredited detox and rehab treatment centers near you and explain which options will best suit your needs. Don’t wait; your recovery can start today.