Self-diagnosing a drug addiction is never easy, as it takes a great deal of self-awareness and honesty for anyone to recognize they have a problem. Hawaii Island Recovery maintains the belief that any addict can be rehabilitated and live a successful life of recovery, and that begins with recognizing and acknowledging that there’s a problem.
Here are ten drug addiction symptoms that are common ways of spotting addiction in your own life.
1. You don’t follow prescription instructions.
Addiction to prescription medications is a struggle that plagues millions of people. An early sign of drug abuse is when you don’t follow the dosage instructions. Whether you take pills too often or you take too many, this type of behavior is often symptomatic of a deeper issue.
2. You take other people’s prescriptions.
It’s never safe to use anyone else’s prescriptions, no matter the reason. Willingness to experiment with other drugs, regardless of any potential side effects, can be a behavioral symptom of addiction.
3. You find yourself hiding the truth about your drug use.
There’s a saying that you can tell if you have a problem by how much you lie about it. If you’re not telling your doctor the truth about how often or how many pills you’re taking, or if you’re hiding any information about drug use in general from those closest to you, then you may be covering up your habit for a reason.
4. You feel sick when you stop taking a drug.
Prolonged drug use can lead to physical dependency, and a common drug addiction symptom is feeling ill when you stop using. From chills, to nausea, your body may be going through withdrawals. This is why recovery centers not only address the mental and emotional aspects of addiction, but help you cope with the physical symptoms as well.
5. You can’t limit your drug use.
Drug addiction greatly impacts any willpower you may have, even if you’re trying to decrease or stop usage altogether. Even when you’re successful with skipping a dose or fix, your mind may be focused on your drug of choice, when you can take it next, or how you’re going to get more.
6. Your appearance changes.
Common drug addiction symptoms can affect your outer appearance, and even your daily hygiene habits. Bloodshot eyes, shakiness, noticeable weight gain or weight loss, and frequent bloody noses are all signs that your body is trying to tell you something’s not right.
7. You don’t enjoy doing what you love.
Do you have a lack of interest in the things or people you love most? Many addicts will isolate themselves from others, in favor of being alone or with fellow drug abusers.
8. Your behavior is different.
At the end of the day, you know yourself best. Be truthful with yourself when taking inventory of your behavior, as common drug addiction symptoms include a short temper, irritability, anxiousness, and severe mood swings.
9. You need a higher dose over time.
As drug addiction continues over time, your body will build up a tolerance to that drug and require a higher dosage for you to achieve your desired result. If you find yourself becoming immune to the proper dosage (or a dosage you typically use), then you’re likely overdoing it.
10. You feel defensive when someone questions you.
Often, addicts won’t feel at ease when questioned about their drug use and are prone to coming up with excuses or defending their behavior. Of course, drug addiction is a sensitive topic that should be addressed appropriately; but if you notice that you’re aggressively defending your drug use (or even denying it), then it’s time to take action against it.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE RECOVER FROM ADDICTION IN HAWAII, CONTACT US TODAY AT 877-721-3556.
