Holistic drug addiction treatment center, Summit Behavioral Health, offers insight into how to tell if your loved one is battling a drug addiction. There are some telltale signs that your family member is using or abusing drugs. The following are signs to look out for to determine if your loved one needs help for substance abuse:
Being more secretive than normal. Some people are very private by nature. If your loved one is trying to hide an addiction though, he or she will be more secretive or evasive than normal. That means that they may try to avoid giving clear or concrete answers to questions, keep secrets, not tell you where they are going or where they have been, or acting strangely when questioned.
Lying often. This may be the most common sign of addiction. Nearly all people struggling with addiction lie to protect themselves from having to admit that they are abusing drugs. It’s natural that friends and family want to believe what their loved one tells them, but when things don’t seem to add up or make sense, there may be cause for concern – especially when the stories involve money being lost, stolen, or spent on things that are unverifiable.
Changes in mood. Noticeable mood swings can be a sign of addiction or underlying mental disorders that commonly co-occur with addiction. Depending on the substance used, it may trigger different emotions in a drug abuser. The amount and frequency that the user is taking the substance can also play a big part in mood changes.
Changes in sleep or energy levels. Drug addiction can play a major role in the energy levels of an individual. Again, the type of substance used will create different responses. For example, someone who seems like they have intense bursts of energy and who isn’t sleeping as much as they used to, may be using stimulants like methamphetamine or cocaine. Conversely, someone who seems tired all the time or who nods off inexplicably, may be using depressants like alcohol, benzodiazepines, or heroin.
Weight changes. The use of drugs or alcohol can affect a person’s weight drastically in a short period of time. Eating disorders may also play a part, as they can co-occur with substance abuse disorders.
Changes in appearance. When a person is suffering from a drug addiction they typically change the way that they are living, including the way they dress, act, and look. They may become increasingly disheveled, losing interest in how they appear to others.
Not meeting obligations and responsibilities. It’s common for people who are addicted to drugs to stop fulfilling obligations and responsibilities. This means they may stop paying their bills, lose jobs, fail to care for their children or spouses or stop taking care of other responsibilities.
Stealing. If you begin to notice that money or things of value are missing, it could mean that your loved one who you suspect is using drugs, is stealing to pay for their addiction. Those who are addicted to drugs will often do just about anything to get their next high – including stealing from family and friends to pay for their drugs.
About Summit Behavioral Health
If you recognize any one or a combination of the above signs in someone you love, it may be time for you to confront them about their drug use. Summit Behavioral Health helps people struggling with drug addiction and their families in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. Contact them today at 1-844-643-3869, for more information.
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Serenity At Summit
https://www.serenityatsummit.com/
