10 signs that someone may be an addict.
Knowing if someone is dealing with a true addiction can sometimes be confusing. People who struggle with addiction often have intermittent periods of abstinence, whether short or long, and those who love them wonder why they keep falling back into old patterns. Addiction is by definition a self-diagnosed disease, but experts have outlined a few barometers to gauge whether addiction has taken hold of someone’s life. Some examples are obvious, but others are sneakier are harder to diagnose.
You keep using alcohol or drugs even after you said you would stop.
You begin to have problems at work and/or home as a result of using.
You lost interest in things you used to enjoy doing.
You need more of the substance used to achieve the same effect.
You have a hard time sticking to limits (ie. ‘I’ll only have two drinks tonight).
You borrow or steal money to buy drugs or alcohol.
You build your routines around using (ie. only eating at restaurants with a bar, skipping family functions that happen in the evening.)
You spend money that you don’t have on drugs or alcohol, neglecting bills or other financial commitments.
You experience withdrawal symptoms between using, such as headaches, tremors, sweating, nausea.
Others see changes in personality (quick to anger, lack of compassion, saying things out of character, etc.)
Parents and loved ones usually notice these signs and symptoms before the addict themself does.
