Being able to determine drug and alcohol addiction and how severe it is can be difficult. It is easy to dismiss people’s worries as an overreaction, and assure yourself “I don’t drink that often,” but it is this complacency that allows for an addiction to settle in.
Naturally, no one should panic over the sight of a single pill or glass of wine, but it is crucial not to fall towards either extreme on the spectrum: worrying too much or not worrying enough.
If you have ever wondered what the signs are or what you should look out for when it comes to falling into addiction, here are your clues.
What Do You Remember?
Asking what you remember might seem like an odd question at first, but memory is actually quite relevant to drug and alcohol addiction. If you have noticed gaps in your memory or have dealt with a pattern of not remembering the events of previous nights, it is possible you have gone too far and have begun to abuse drugs.
This can be especially important to analyze if you have friends and family as witnesses. Is yesterday evening a blur to you, even though your peers insist you never passed out at any point? Are they pointing out actions or words you said that you don’t remember? Chances are it is related to drug abuse.
This happens to many people after the occasional fun night watching a game or having a party with friends. It is only a problem when it becomes a regular occurrence.
What is Everyone Saying?
Most people drink in groups—with friends or family—when enjoying it as a social indulgence. But has anyone around you ever asked if you have had enough to drink, or thinks you drink too much? Have they seen you smoke one too many cigarettes that day, or have you been glued to your medications all day? These are among the first red flags that you are abusing drugs.
Maybe even when your friends are done drinking or have had a good enough smoke, you still want to keep going. In fact, maybe you feel uncomfortable even thinking of stopping. And on top of that, you have been called out on how much you take on.
When drugs become a repeated problem and you have numerous witnesses to back up the frequency of those substances, that is a sign to consider therapy or check into a local rehabilitation center.
Search Your Feelings
When in doubt of your friends and family or your memory blackouts, consider how you feel about the drug in question. Do you tend to get uncomfortable, anxious, or even upset when you are away from alcohol or drugs for a certain amount of time? Or maybe you have felt guilty about some habits you know you have but are unable to admit to yourself how bad they are?
There is a lot of truth to be found in the thoughts scurrying in the back of your mind or in the small habits you have. Do you find yourself in a hurry to get to your next drinking or smoking session? Can you stand more of the drug now than when you first started? Do you try to sneak in extra drugs or drinks when no one is looking?
If you said yes to any of these, then they are indicative signs that you have gone from casual use to a full-on addiction, and considering rehab is now crucial. While many addicts avoid rehab and therapy in denial or fear of the process, there are worse side effects that can come with continuing an addiction—health complications, loss of trust in social and familial relationships, losing your job, or destroying your sense of self.
If you or a loved one is concerned about potential drug or alcohol addiction, contact a local Alternative Treatment & Rehab program in Tennessee. You might also investigate Discovery Place’s own treatment center alternatives, such as our 30 Day Residential Addiction Recovery Program or our Long Term Recovery Program in Burns, Tennessee. Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-725-0922.
