Are wondering if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol? If that’s the case, then it could already be a sign that there may be an addiction problem present.
There are various signs of addiction to look out for but if you do not know what they are, it can be hard to diagnose. That’s why in this article, we are going to provide you with some helpful tips on how to tell if you are addicted to drugs or alcohol and also, how you can get help.
But first, let’s define addiction.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is the continuous and uncontrollable use of drugs or alcohol over a long period of time.
When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they won’t be able to stop using the narcotic substance even though they are witness to the damage it’s causing to their own health and wellbeing.
The Addiction Checklist
Here is a list of questions to answer that may help determine if you are an addict or not. Please answer them honestly:
1. Do you prefer using drugs or alcohol than not using it at all?
2. Have you tried to quit using drugs or alcohol but failed?
3. Do you save money to fund your alcohol or drug usage?
4. Do you plan your day around when, where and how you will be able to use drugs or alcohol?
5. Are you obsessive about maintaining stock of drugs or alcohol?
6. Do you know when last you used drugs or drank alcohol and when you will be using it again?
7. Are you always in search of people who will be able to fund your alcohol or drug usage?
8. Do you visit more than one doctor to get more prescriptions for medication?
9. Do you steal from family members and friends to gather money to buy drugs or alcohol?
10. Are you dishonest about how much drugs or alcohol you use?
If you answered yes to 2 or more of these questions above, then it may be a sign that you need addiction help as soon as possible.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
There are also physical signs and symptoms that could point to an addiction being present. Here are some of them:
1. Do you feel nervous or irritable when drugs or alcohol is not available?
2. Has your personal hygiene deteriorated since the time you began using drugs or alcohol?
3. Do you experience increased sweating?
4. Do you constantly have mood swings?
5. Have you neglected your nutrition by failing or forgetting to eat?
6. Are you engaging in dangerous and reckless behaviour while under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
7. Have you got into legal trouble or landed on the wrong side of the law due to your alcohol or drug use?
8. Are the relationships you have with friends and family deteriorating?
9. Is your work or career suffering because of your drug and alcohol usage?
If you are able to answer yes to these questions as well, then it’s about time that you get professional help.
Addiction Help
The best and safest way to treat this illness is by admitting yourself into an addiction treatment centre.
But why is it the best and safest way to treat addiction?
When someone is addicted to drugs and alcohol, their bodies are now reliant on its pleasurable effects making it quite difficult and dangerous to stop without medical help.
When the addict will try to stop, they may often experience feelings known as withdrawal symptoms, which in some cases can be dangerous, even life threatening, depending on the nature and severity of the addiction suffered.
Addiction treatment gives addicts the opportunity to safely minimise these withdrawal symptoms by means of a supervised medical detox, which will help remove all the harmful toxins of drugs or alcohol out of the body.
Once this has been completed, patients will receive 24 hour medical care, counselling and therapy to help educate them about their addiction and get to the root cause of why they became addicted in the first place.
They will also get to engage with other addicts in similar positions as themselves, which will help in them that they are not alone.
For access to all of this, WeDoRecover provides immediate admission into the best private addiction treatment centres in South Africa. Call us now and let one of our highly skilled and qualified counsellors find the best rehab to suit your individual needs.