The Tell-Tale Signs You Are an Addict

Alcoholism and drug abuse results in the accumulation of toxins in your body and can have devastating effects. If you are currently suffering from drug addiction, you need to take the necessary steps to get the best drug detox assistance. That might involve checking into an alcohol rehab facility.

But how do you know that you are a drug or alcohol addict? It's important to understand the signs that show you are an addict so you can seek assistance. Even if you neither use alcohol or drugs, knowing the signs of addiction might assist you to help your family member or your friends and any other person you care about.

The main signs of drug addiction

1.    Craving

A person addicted to drugs experiences an intense urge for using drugs. Such cravings may be an indicator that you have a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse disorder is a disease that affects a person's brain making it more difficult to control the use of a drug. It matters not whether the drug in question is legal or illegal. Since drugs are addictive, whenever you stop using them, you start experiencing an intense urge to use the drug. Such cravings are an indicator of withdrawal symptoms, and so you need to seek help.

2.    Physical Dependence

Physical dependence on drugs is caused by the chronic use of drugs to which the withdrawal results in an intense, unpleasant feeling. Physical dependence might as well be as a result of the low-dose therapeutic use of some known medication drugs such as benzodiazepines, opioids, antiepileptics, and also antidepressants. Misuse of recreational drugs such as alcohol can also result in physical dependence.

3.    Tolerance

Repeated use of drugs such as Heroine may cause a person to develop a tolerance for the drug. Tolerance is a pharmacological concept that describes reduced reaction to a drug over time. The drug user in most cases increases the dose to feel the drugs effect. Though the development of tolerance is not an addiction, most drugs that cause tolerance also have addictive potential.

4.    Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms occur when a person abruptly stops using a drug. Such abrupt withdrawal may cause altered mental state as well as sympathetic overdrive which might as well result in cardiovascular collapse. Hence, it is advisable to consult a medical doctor to get professional assistance during your withdrawal period. Many addicts who withdraw from drugs without following a healthy detox program have a high chance of relapse. Also since detox is the first step in the treatment of drug addiction, its proper management may create a strong foundation and a smooth progression to the subsequent step.

5.    Poor Judgment

Drug addiction is associated with risky behavior since a drug addict can indulge in any activity to get drugs. Thus, they may lie, steal, or even engage in unsafe sex. Drug addicts may also drain their bank accounts, while others neglect their responsibilities. Other traits of drug addicts which should raise red flags include associating with fellow drug addicts, as well as withdrawing and isolating themselves to hide their drug use.

In conclusion, we'd say that though the above list is not conclusive, it provides the primary signs that can reveal the possibility of a person being a drug addict.

This is a guest blog entry.