Drug addiction can happen to anyone, at any age. Treatment is effective, especially when you get support early on. The early signs of drug addiction are not always clear. Sometimes you may be unsure what’s happening to you or if addiction really could happen to you.
Recognize the early signs of addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), so you can take steps to find relief. At Raleigh Recovery, we offer comprehensive treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in Raleigh, North Carolina. You may not be sure you need treatment. That’s the perfect time to contact us.
When Is Addiction a Treatable Condition?
Not everyone who uses alcohol or drugs suffers from an SUD. Knowing when use of a substance becomes addictive isn’t always clear. Addiction becomes a disease when engaging in the use of those substances becomes compulsive and continues even when you recognize the negative and harmful effects it creates.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines it as a chronic disease that involves complex interactions that include:
- Your environment
- Genetic makeup
- Life experiences
- And complex interactions in brain circuits
Addiction often develops over a period of time with continued use of a substance. A person can still function normally in daily life initially. They may not seem to have an addiction.
Seeing Signs of Early Drug Addiction in Yourself
Addiction develops over time for most people. It occurs as your body and brain adjust to the presence of a substance. This chronic disease directly impacts your brain’s reward system, memory, and motivation. Some of the initial signs you may notice in yourself early on as the disease develops include:
- Lack of control. You try to stop using or limit how much you use, but you fail to do so often. It’s too hard to stay away from the substance.
- Ignoring risk factors. Some people recognize the worsening risks of continued use but continue to do so. You may engage in more reckless behavior, such as driving under the influence, going to work after a few drinks, or sharing needles.
- Pulling away. It’s no longer enjoyable to spend time with friends or family. Things you liked to do are just too hard, or you might have to answer too many questions if you go.
- Changes in your ability to maintain responsibilities. Some people struggle with going to work, taking care of responsibilities at home, or completing projects. You try, but fail.
- Changes to relationships. Loved ones are constantly telling you about your continued substance use. Relationships seem too hard or just not as important to you right now.
- You feel withdrawal. If you stop using substances, you feel ill, exhausted, or intensely determined to find more.
- You need more of the same substance. Some people develop tolerance, which means they need to use more of the substance to feel any relief.
Noticing these changes in yourself means it’s time to get into treatment. Think about what changed over the last few months or years for you. Be honest with yourself about what you’re really feeling. Then, contact us about our drug detox treatment program in Raleigh.
How to Know Your Loved One Has a Drug Addiction?
It is often common for a person with a substance use disorder to find it impossible to admit what is happening. That’s part of the disease development. However, early intervention can be highly beneficial. If you see any of the previously mentioned signs of addiction or any of the following, seek help for your loved one:
- Not meeting obligations they always have. That includes obligations to family, employers, or the community. It can mean everything from a job and caring for a home to social and recreational activities.
- Serious mood swings occurring more frequently. This may happen more frequently when a person with a dependency on a substance doesn’t have access to it for a period of time.
- Changes in personality and behavior. Your loved one’s behavior is not what it used to be. They may be engaging in activities they never did before or spending time with people they haven’t in the past.
If you notice these symptoms in your loved one, talk to them. Be honest and open about what you are concerned about and provide help to them. Point them in our direction.
How Our Team at Recovery Raleigh Can Help
As a treatment program designed to help individuals take back their lives, Raleigh Recovery is readily available to help you. We work with people with early signs of addiction as well as well-established conditions. When you contact us, we can go through an initial assessment to give you clarity on what we can do to help you. Contact us now to learn how we can help you.
