Drug addiction can be a tough topic to address. This is particularly difficult if you feel that your loved ones may be suffering from a certain type of addiction. Guest author, Tess Young, is a freelance writer and blogger and her writing covers a wide range of different topics. She also writes for Pyramid Healthcare on topics such as alcohol and drug treatment programs.
Drug issues can happen to anyone, and contrary to popular belief it is not just illegal drugs that are causing this. Addiction to prescription medication is also an issue. Drugs can end up being both psychologically and chemically addictive, and addiction can end up governing a person’s entire life. As a result, it is a good idea to check for the signs that may indicate a dependency problem. Some of these signs are quite difficult to pick up, but by looking closely you may be able to find out what the issue is so that you can get it sorted as soon as possible.
Playing Hide and Seek
A classic symptom of addiction is if the individual in question is becoming more and more secretive about their use. Whether the issue here is illegal drugs or alcohol, sufferers usually tend to hide their problems away from everyone else. Make sure to check around the house and see if there is anything unusual. Six-packs hidden at the back of cupboards and in other places can be a good indicator that your loved one has a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
Drinking Before and After
When it comes to alcohol addiction in particular, many alcoholics are going to start drinking before they meet up with friends. According to experts, this is to make it look as though they are drinking the same amount as their friends. Even after events, the drinking will tend to continue. This is a big sign that there is a dependency issue and one that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Unusual Money Habits
Spending money on drugs is going to take its toll. Heading out to the bar is also going to get expensive if it is done on a frequent basis. Signs of unpaid bills and other issues may start to appear. If this seems to be the case, then you are going to have to have a serious talk with your loved one about their problems.
Loss of Interest
A powerful addiction problem is going to cause an addict to lose interest in other things that they used to find interesting. A football player who no longer seems to care about their team, or a writer who no longer feels like writing, is probably going to be suffering from something. Addiction makes the world a narrower place for the patient, making them crave only one thing.
Loss of Appetite
The use of amphetamines, cocaine, crystal meth and other uppers are going to have a significant effect on a person’s appetite. This is because the addict is given more energy and therefore needs to eat less.
A mixture of these signs is going to indicate some kind of problem. When it comes to these issues, you need to make sure that you know how to confront your loved one. It can be difficult, but it will be worth it in the end.
Bob Brotchie is a counsellor, life coach and creator of Conscious Living by Design™. He writes for Anglia Counselling, is featured on various other websites and introduces us to many guest writers all covering topics related to mental health and wellbeing.
Bob provides bespoke counselling services to clients in the privacy and comfort of a truly welcoming environment at his Anglia Counselling company office, located near Newmarket in Suffolk, England. Bob also provides professional online counselling, for local, national, and international clients. The therapeutic models offered are bespoke to the client’s needs, especially those in receipt of 'childhood emotional neglect' (CEN), whilst integrating a mindful approach to psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) principles. For clients experiencing trauma and/or phobia, Bob offers EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).