Are you fearful that a loved one may be abusing drugs and/or alcohol? If so, one of the best things you can do is to watch your friend or family member closely for the warning signs of substance abuse or addiction. You may be able to talk to the person about their usage and suggest help if you notice these symptoms. In many cases, however, the person will become defensive, deny that a problem exists, or may even become angry. If you have already called us here at Axis and made arrangements for your loved one to attend, we can be helpful in advising you how to proceed to get your addicted friend or family member to agree to enroll in treatment.
Drug Abuse
There are many different drugs that are being abused in today’s world. Because of the various addictive drugs, different symptoms may indicate the use of certain types of drugs. There are, however, some general signs of drug abuse or dependence to be mindful of if you think someone you care about may be struggling. These include:
- Marked changes in behavior, personality and/or mood
- Complaints of sickness, either due to drug use or to make time for drug use
- Spending less time with friends and family members
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Changes in personal appearance
- A loss of interest in once-loved activities
- Sudden financial and/or legal troubles
Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol abuse can be more difficult to distinguish than drug abuse, since alcohol is deemed socially acceptable. While some people are able to drink socially and normally, however, others will exhibit dangerous warning signs associated with their drinking. If you notice any of the following signs in a loved one, seek help:
- An inability to stop drinking or control the amount of alcohol consumed
- Withdrawing from once-enjoyed activities in favor of drinking
- Expressing a “need” to drink
- Legal, financial, job or relationship problems related to alcohol
- An increased tolerance to alcohol
- Purposefully overindulging in alcohol
- Hiding drinking or lying about the amount of alcohol consumed
- Keeping alcohol on hand at all times
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Drinking to the point of memory loss
- Becoming irritable when alcohol isn’t available
- Developing rituals around drinking (e.g., always drinking at a certain time of day)
Seeking Help
Fortunately, there are many ways in which a person with a drug and/or alcohol addiction can be helped. One of the most promising forms of treatment is to attend a rehabilitation program dedicated to helping those who struggle with drug dependency to heal. Contact us at Axis to learn more about how we can help your loved one begin the process of recovery.
