Unfortunately, millions and millions of Americans struggle with substance abuse. Some do drugs to escape, some to have fun and some to numb pain. However, no matter the reason a person abuses drugs or alcohol, they can become addicted.
It can be difficult to identify your have a problem, and even more difficult to be honest about it to others and seek help. In fact, only a very small portion of people who need treatment actually end up getting it. This is troubling and mean that a lot of people who need help never end up getting it.
With that in mind, this article is going to look at 7 different signs that you may need rehab for your addiction.
Your Family and Friends Have Talked to You About It
If you don’t notice that you have a drug or alcohol problem, there is a good chance your friends or family members will. Not only will they notice, but they will likely bring it up with you. This could be small hints at first, but could eventually build up to a large intervention that could be difficult on everyone.
No matter how attached you are to a certain drug, it is not worth throwing away a relationship for. If someone talks to you about your drug problem, there is little denying that you have one. If people are concerned enough about you to bring up your substance abuse, it’s a pretty good sign you have a problem and should get help.
If you are someone who has to talk to your friends or family members about their addiction, you need to do it intelligently. Thankfully, the internet is full of resources to help. A great example can be found at Transition Recovery Program.
You Have Tried to Stop, But Cannot
While many people’s advice to drug users is “just quit”, it’s not that easy. Countless people have tried dozens of times to quit their vices, and it is much easier said than done. If you have tried to stop on your own but can’t, there is a good chance you are physically addicted.
Your body feels as if it needs the drug, and stopping on your own will be very hard. Getting help as soon as you struggle to quit on your own is a good idea. Also, if you don’t know how to quit, but know you should, you are a great candidate for rehab as well. They are there to help you out, not judge you for not being able to help yourself.
The Drugs and Alcohol Consume Your Lives
If you no longer enjoy the things you used to such as reading, going for hikes or any other hobby, you might want to consider rehab. Having drugs or alcohol consume lives is one of the most common side effects of an addiction. The drug may be all you think about, and all you care about.
This is obviously incredibly harmful as everything from your skills, your relationships and even your health will begin to suffer. If you stop caring about everything else, it will also become very hard to notice just how important the drug has become to you. It is common for people to spend every penny they have on either getting the drug or finding a way to get it.
You Go Through Withdrawals
Withdrawals are an unfortunate reality of most drug addictions. If you don’t have the drug in a certain period of time, you will begin to feel the effects. These can include nausea, sweating, pain, paranoia, cramps or even insomnia. Dealing with all of these alone is tough, but all at once is a nightmare on earth.
You feel this way because your body has gotten used to having the drug. These terrible feelings will often make you go out and do things you might regret in order to get the drug. Eventually, these feelings of withdrawal will go away, but most people don’t have the strength or patience to handle it themselves. Detox and treatment programs can work wonders and help you get back on the right foot.
You’ve Lied About Your Issues
Lying is one of the most common things addicts will do to hide their disease. The reasons for your lies can vary. You might not want to worry them, might not think it’s worth mentioning or might know it’s wrong and are embarrassed. Whatever your reason for lying, stop.
Lying to yourself or others won’t help anything and is simply holding you back from the treatment that can help improve your life. Living a lie is no way to live and even if you have been lying to people for years, there is no better time to come out and be honest than the present.
Your Work or School Performance Has Suffered
This can be hard to identify for some people, as it can start small. A missed day of work here or there, sleeping through class every once in a while, and things like that. However, before you know it, you could find yourself being fired or expelled for constant missing or bad performance.
Losing your job or education can not only cost you a ton of money, but can severely stunt your progress in life. If you notice your performance suffering, or if people tell you it is, reach out for help. This could potentially save your job or education, and stop you from going back to square one.
Your Tolerance is Incredibly High
When you first begin drinking or taking a drug, it will take you a small amount to feel the effects. However, over time, your tolerance will increase and it will take you more and more to feel the effects. This means you will need to consume more and more of the substance, which can end up costing you your entire bank account.
Not only that, but the more you take, the more health risks you face. Having a high tolerance can increase your chances of overdosing, which could cost you your entire life. If you find yourself in a spot where your tolerance is sky high, it might be a good idea to look into treatment before it’s too late.
In conclusion, we hope that this blog post has been able to help you see the signs of an addiction that could warrant rehab.