Into The Big World

Most of the time, drug addiction starts out as an experimental substance use in social settings.

Even though any substance can be abused, some drugs carry a higher risk of dependency and addiction than others. It is important to identify instances of substance abuse while it is at the early state, so intervention can occur before addiction takes hold.

Without a doubt, substance abuse is widespread in the US. according to the 2013-2015 data from NIDA’s National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 65.7 percent of individuals aged 12 and older used alcohol the prior year, 13.5 percent used marijuana, and 17.8 percent reported using illicit drugs. In their lifetime, 81 percent of those who participated in the survey reported drinking alcohol, 44 percent said they smoked marijuana, and 48.8 had used illicit drugs. The longer one uses a substance, the harder it is to stop without experiencing harsh withdrawal symptoms. As a result, recognizing the signs of drug use sooner rather than later is crucially important.

There are few common signs of habitual drug use across all substances as well as signs that are unique to the specific type of substance abused. Knowing these signs can help you to identify whether a loved one may be using drugs and risking to lose their health, school, job, and family life.  

General Signs of Addiction

If someone is abusing any drug, there are some of the general signs to look for. These include:

•    Difficulties to concentrate at school, lost of interest in school-related activities, declining grades
•    Poor work performance, often being late to work, appearing tired and disinterested in work duties
•    Changes in physical appearances, such as wearing dirty clothing and a lack of interest in grooming
•    Unusual behavior, such as an increased desire for privacy
•    Drastic changes in relationships
•    A lack of energy when performing daily activities
•    Spending more money than usual or often requesting to borrow money
•    Problems with financial management, such as not paying bills on time
•    Decreased appetite, weight loss
•    Poor skin tone, bloodshot eyes and appearing tired or run down
•    Defensiveness when asked about substance use

Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol is one of the most widely abused substances in the US. In 2012, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism stated that 17 million adults ages 18 and older had an alcohol use disorder in the United States.

Both alcohol abuse and alcoholism are accompanied with multiple signs and symptoms. Oftentimes, those who abuse alcohol use may be able to hide these signs for some time. However, over time, it generally becomes harder and harder to hide the issues.

According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, alcohol abuse can lead to blackouts and memory loss. A person may have yellowish skin and broken capillaries, particularly in the face. With severe alcohol use disorder, the hands may tremble, and the voice may have a huskier tone. Over the long term, alcohol abuse can lead to chronic diarrhea and even vomiting blood.

When a person addicted to alcohol stops drinking, then he will experience harsh withdrawal symptoms, such as a headache, nausea, insomnia, and anxiety. Sometimes, withdrawal symptoms include delirium tremens (DTs), a condition that can lead to hallucinations and life-threatening seizures. As a result, those who struggle with addiction should never attempt to stop drinking on their own; medical detox is required.  

Other common signs of alcohol addiction include:

•    Lack of control over drinking
•    Preference to drink alone or during odd times, such as the morning
•    Continuing to drink despite interpersonal physical and psychological problems related to it
•    Depression, irritability, and mood swings. A tendency to argue with family members and friends
•    Drinking to cope with problems, improve mood, relax, or sleep

Is It Time For An Intervention?

Despite several signs of addiction, it is not always easy to tell when a person struggling with drugs or alcohol is in need of professional help. Broaching the topic of getting help can be even more challenging. However, neglecting to intervene when your loved one demonstrates all the signs of addiction can put him or her in grave danger.

To help decide if now is the right time to get your loved one the help needed, take the following intervention quiz developed by the team of professional intervention specialists at Intervention Helpline. 

Intervention for Addiction is Always Necessary

According to the Intervention Helpline, simply getting one person into treatment doesn’t automatically solve the problems surrounding the addiction. There are still the relationships and other situations revolving around the addiction that has to be addressed. For this reason, drug intervention is always necessary.

Someone has to intervene on the enabling behavior that helped fuel the addiction. Someone has to intervene on the lack of accountability that was the result of lowered expectations.

While each interventionist develops his or her own style, most of them typically follow a similar pattern of meeting with the family and educating them, guiding the intervention for addiction itself and then ensuring their loved one is safely enrolled in a treatment program.

Choosing the Right Rehab

Alcohol and drug addiction is a truly appalling condition that causes horrible damage to the lives of families. There are many treatment facilities all over the United States that are dedicated to helping addicts get on the road to recovery and helping them stay on it. The experience of one treatment seeker will be dramatically different from another. A recovery center that is perfect for one addict may be ineffective for another.

Intervention Helpline offers a full guide to choosing the best drug rehab.  Speaking in general terms, there are three identifiable factors that contribute to successful addiction rehabilitation. First and foremost is the person’s desire to get better and to comply with treatment protocols. Second is choosing a drug recovery program that best fits with the individual and offers long-term care. The third vital component in treatment success is having a solid aftercare plan and recovery support. For more information about finding the best drug rehab, visit Intervention Helpline.

Intervention Helpline provides information about finding the best rehab centers, factors to consider, evaluating success rate, what happens after treatment, and why a drug addiction program can fail. For additional intervention and treatment questions, you can also speak with one of their intervention specialists.

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