Whether it’s a stark change in their attitude toward life or a sudden desire to be left alone, the fact that a loved one can be hiding addiction is a nightmare. Addiction tends to find its way into people’s lives initially as a sort of experiment but later becomes a crucial part of people’s lives.
This transition is not only gripping but often so silent that many people do not realize it until the addiction has become a way of life. While there are ample addiction treatment options that can help, it is still a challenge to see a loved one spiral. Due to this, you must pay close attention to a dear one who seems vulnerable or easily influenced and look for subtle signs hinting at potential addiction.
These are a few signs you shouldn’t ignore:
- Unexpected Physical Changes
Drugs and alcohol affect the body’s metabolism, organ function, body weight, and mental well-being. This often reflects sudden weight loss, digestive issues, and feeling immensely tired after barely doing anything.
These signs may initially seem like a result of working out, but the sudden drop in weight, fat, and muscle mass can make the involvement of drugs evident. Besides, the consumption of substances may also suppress appetite.
- Losing Interest in Hobbies
When addiction (of substance or alcohol) enters a person’s life, their powerful stimulant properties make it challenging for them to focus on anything except acquiring and consuming the stimulants.
Due to this, people with an addiction often tend to disengage from their hobbies and be engrossed in the process of consuming substances or struggling with withdrawal in the absence of the substance.
If you see a loved one suddenly drop a hobby they have been pursuing for years for no substantial reason (like getting a job or finding it challenging to manage time), probing further is important.
- Excessively Lying or Manipulating
People with an addiction often struggle with control in their lives as they are not able to have any control over their need for the substance. This lack of control is projected as controlling behavior where the individual with addiction tries to control their surroundings.
To claim power over others, there’s always a chance they will try manipulative techniques like threatening extreme measures like suicide. Such actions instill deep fears in the hearts and minds of their loved ones, resulting in the individual with addiction getting their way.
The intense mental and physical urge to use substances further inhibits the brain’s ability to think logically and rationally. It leads to the person coming up with lies, assuming they are believable, and there’s always a chance they may resort to physical violence to get their way if required.
- Sudden Bursts of Energy
Substances are potent stimulants that affect the nervous system and other organ systems. As a result, when an individual consumes them, they get a sudden burst of energy (more than usual) and are likely to feel active until the drug’s effects wear out.
The sudden rise in energy levels also disrupts sleep patterns, making maintaining a consistent sleep pattern challenging. When the effects of the substance dry out, the body’s systems go into a state of lethargy that can only be fixed by further intake of the substances.
- Sudden Behavioral Changes
Substance consumption most affects brain chemistry, particularly the reward system, by overstimulating the production of serotonin.
The massive amount of serotonin makes it challenging for the brain and body to process, leading to changes in thought patterns and actions.
A person may feel more receptive, active, and efficient under the influence of drugs, but as the effects wear out, they may become frustrated and display signs of aggression.
Bottomline
While it is unfortunate that substance abuse is still a pressing concern in our growing society, it does somewhere become a family’s responsibility to look out for their loved ones and offer support if they suspect involvement of substances. Ensure you are being kind and not dealing with the matter with condescending feelings of guilt and shame. Help is available, and recovery is possible.
