Addiction can be defined as a chronic disease that affects the way the brain processes the reward, memory and motivation functions. Someone with an addiction will find themselves craving either a substance or a particular behavioural habit and despite any negative impacts on their life, will continually seek the substance or habit out.
Learning to Identify Addiction
Generally speaking, signs of addiction can include:
- A lack of control or complete inability to stay away from the substance or behaviour in question
- Obvious abandonment of commitments or lack of desire to socialise
- Ignorance towards risks associated with addiction
- Physical side effects such as withdrawal type symptoms when they haven’t experienced their substance or behaviour recently
While these signs are commonly linked to addiction, they can vary greatly depending on the addiction itself as well as the severity or stage of the addiction. While a healthy person may identify a negative behaviour and stop taking part in that behaviour, someone suffering from addiction won’t be able to do this so easily. For most, rather than admitting the problem exists, they simply continue the behaviour, falling further into the addiction itself.
Initial Signs & Symptoms
When it comes to the early stages of addiction, sufferers can find it much easier to hide however there are some early stages signs to look out for:
- Experimentation within their lifestyle or usual choices
- A family history of addiction
- Appearing to form an obsession with an activity or substance
- Seeking out places or activities specific to their substance or behaviour
- Episodes that highlight ‘binging’ behaviour or a loss of control
If the addiction surrounds common social behaviours such as drinking, early warning signs may be easily missed. Equally, what you may feel is an addiction, could simply be an unhealthy form of stress management or simply a stage of experimentation. Having said that, these early stages, if left untreated or unaccepted as behaviour to be avoided, could very well develop into an addiction.
Personality Changes
As an addiction develops past what could be deemed the ‘experimental stage’, you may start to notice personality changes. These may be infrequent however over time could develop permanently. Signs may include:
- A lack of interest in usual activities or hobbies
- A lack of desire to interact in usual relationships
- Neglecting work commitments and obligations
- Risk taking and accepting negative consequences caused by the habit
- Increased secrecy and lying
Health Changes
Another way to identify someone suffering from addiction is to look at health changes within them, from physical to mental health, there may be a decline that varies in severity. Signs may include but aren’t limited to:
- Constant illness
- Unexplained injuries
- Drastic changes in weight
- Poor personal hygiene
- Bloodshot eyes
- Physical withdrawal symptoms such as trembling, sweating etc
- Slurred speech
- Memory difficulties
- Aggression
- Depression
- Irritability
- Drastic mood swings
Seeking Professional Help
It’s important to note that not all negative behaviours are an addiction and it’s equally as important to rule out potential medical reasons for health declines. That being said, having quick access to treatment for an addiction when needed is incredibly important. Having professional advice and guidance on hand is paramount to helping someone suffering with addiction and ultimately getting them onto the right path that leads to a clean and healthy future.
Infinity Addiction Solutions are one of the UK’s leading addiction treatment centres, with multiple centres throughout the UK. For more information, contact them today on 0800 334 5541.
