Understanding Addiction?

There are many thoughts and images that come to one’s mind when a person hears the word “addiction.” People think about individuals falling down drunk or a woman that sells her body in order to get her “fix.” Others may remember the time they saw a paralyzed teen in a wheelchair as a result of a drunk driving accident. Then you have those celebrities that have died from overdoses and sex scandals that took over the tabloids. Other times it hits close to home due to certain individuals having a close friend or family member who suffers from addiction.

Since there are many controversies surrounding addiction, people have a hard time being able to separate what is a fact and what is an opinion. You may even know someone who feels that everything they hear is just a myth from reality. Understanding addiction is a complex task. This page should be helpful for those who know of someone struggling with an addiction to help make an informed decision on what next steps to take.

Signs of Addiction?

Being able to recognize the many signs of addiction is the first step to seeking the help that you or someone else may need. They consist of both behavioral and physical signs. Even though there are many different substances and other things that an individual can be addicted to, these signs go hand in hand with the majority of addictions that we see today.

Behavioral Signs
  • Thoughts/actions that are obsessive
  • Addiction denial and/or hiding their addiction
  • Missing work/school
  • Work/school problems
  • Missing important engagements
  • Isolating/secretive about activities
  • Disrupted sleep patterns
  • Legal problems
  • Relationship/marital problems
  • Financial problems (e.g. always needing money)
  • Conversations dominated by using or drug/alcohol related topics

Physical Signs
  • Insomnia
  • Sudden weight gain or loss
  • Small or enlarged pupils
  • Slurred speech
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Agitation
  • Hallucinations
  • Body odors that are unusual
  • Bad physical coordination
  • Over-active or under-active (depending on the drug)
  • Repetitive speech patterns
  • Excessive sniffing and runny nose (not attributable to a cold)
  • Looking pale or undernourished
  • Change in eating habits
  • Lack of personal hygiene

Psychological Signs
  • Irritability/Argumentative
  • Defensiveness
  • Inability to deal with stress
  • Loss of interest in activities/people that used to be part of their lives
  • Confused easily
  • Denial
  • Rationalizing – Offering alibis, excuses, justifications, or other explanations for their using behavior
  • Minimization – Admitting superficially to the problem but not admitting to the seriousness or full scope of the behavior or consequences
  • Blaming – Placing the blame for the behavior on someone else or some event
  • Diversion – Changing the subject to avoid discussing the topic
 

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Causes of Addiction

It is important to note that there have not been any exact mechanisms that clearly define what causes people to become addicted to substances. However, there are many that agree that people are more vulnerable to developing an addiction if they are genetically endangered. For example, children of alcoholic parents are three to four times more likely to become addicts themselves.

There are also theories that suggest others may become addicts because of certain brain deficiencies. For example, an addict may have fewer receptor sites. Additionally, there are addicts who use certain drugs to self-medicate. For example, addiction is a way for many to get relief from suffering they may be experiencing such as depression. It can become an escape for many and while they may not have intentionally planned on becoming an addict, the psychological pain which initially drove them to the drug gets completely forgotten. Learn more about the causes of addiction here.

Is Addiction a Disease?

Many medical professionals define addiction as a disease because just like heart disease and cancer, addiction stems from environmental, biological, and behavioral factors. Addicts who have other family members that abuse drugs have more than half the chance of developing an addiction. Both the brain and body experience many changes through addiction which may be caused by substance use. They may already exist. As many know, addictions that are left untreated can cause other mental and physical disorders.

Am I an Alcoholic?

How can you tell whether or not you have a drinking problem? Alcoholics drink too much and as a result, their lives end up crumbling. However, there are both functioning and high functioning alcoholics. Even though you still have your job and seem to just be managing fine, you can still abuse alcohol and be considered an alcoholic. Alcohol abuse is considered a disorder and the condition ranges anywhere from mild to severe.

Am I an Addict?

For those that are beginning to question their drug use, alcohol use, gambling issues, or other addiction, this may be a sign that you have a substance abuse problem. While regular use of a substance or other matter may not clearly signal addiction, there are other signs, such as emotional and physical symptoms, that are linked to addiction. After only a few times, there are many people that can become addicted to certain drugs. Think about how your drug use makes you feel. Does it make you uncomfortable? Do you use drugs to escape certain feelings? If so, you may be an addict.

Overdose

When an addict receives too much of a particular substance or a combination of different substance an overdose can occur. Overdose can be either accidental or intentional. There are many people who overdose on alcohol, prescription medications, illegal drugs, and many other substances. There are many instances that overdose results in fatalities. If medical treatment is sought soon enough, individuals can be saved from their overdose. It is not hard for your body to become extremely fatigued by the use of drugs and other substances. While an overdose is one of the most frightening things that a person can experience, life can still go on afterward if the individual learns from it.

Who is affected by addiction?

Drug, alcohol, and other types of addiction affect both the addict as well as their friends, family, and even coworkers. It can sever bonds between the addict and their loved ones which would make it more difficult for the addict to try and find help. Addiction affects the addict's body, feelings, actions, and mind. Addiction wreaks havoc on families and other relationships. Addicts are not the same as they were before they began abusing drugs or alcohol. It changes the individual in ways you would not even have imagined, even before getting the necessary help.

If you or a loved one are struggling to understand addiction, our addiction professionals are here to help. You are not alone.

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