Addiction isn’t something that just happens. It’s a stage of a relationship that has become problematic and developed over time, whether that be with drugs, alcohol or anything else.
It means that your relationship has moved from occasional or recreational to habitual and a part of your daily routine. That can be incredibly dangerous and many people find themselves in private drug rehabilitation centres as a result. Or, worse still, facing incredibly serious health conditions.
Spotting the signs of addiction early can be really useful, allowing you to seek support before the problem deepens. However, the signs can be subtle and difficult to spot. That said, they are there and here are five you should look out for, whether it be in yourself or with someone you care for…
Increasing Tolerance
One of the most noticeable things to spot is the increasing of your tolerance. If you were once starting to feel the effects of alcohol after one or two pints, but now it’s four or five, then that’s a clear sign that there’s something happening.
Increased tolerance means that your body is becoming used to the amount of alcohol, for example, in your system and requires more to get the desired outcome of it. That tolerance can creep up slowly, without you really noticing, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for that.
Using to Cope with Emotions
Alcohol and drugs, and to an extent even gambling, are not healthy coping mechanisms. So many of us turn to it after a stressful day. And that’s perhaps fine every now and again, but if it becomes your go-to way of managing emotions, then we have a problem.
By regularly turning to these as a way of dealing with stress or sadness, boredom or anxiety, it starts to build into a dependency and any negative feelings will trigger its usage. They don’t solve the problem and while they may provide temporary relief, they can exacerbate mental health conditions over time.
Changes in Priorities and Behaviour
Your priorities will start to shift when the line crosses between moderation and dependency. You’ll start to prioritise drinking or taking drugs ahead of responsibilities, hobbies, and the other things in life that you once enjoyed.
It may be that your work performance dips, or family commitments are neglected. In fact, friendship groups may even change, opting to spend time with the regulars in the pub who share similar habits compared to long-term friends that want to hang out in different ways. These life shifts aren’t natural life progression, they’re a sign that addiction is starting to take over.
Secrecy and Denial
As drinking, drug use, or another behaviour becomes more frequent, individuals may begin to hide it. They might downplay how much they are using, avoid conversations about it, or become defensive when questioned.
Secrecy can take many forms, from drinking alone and concealing bottles to lying about how money is being spent. Denial often accompanies this secrecy, with people convincing themselves and others that they are “fine” or “just having fun”, even when the signs suggest otherwise.
Early Withdrawal Symptoms
Finally, physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms are another clear warning sign. In the early stages, these may be mild but noticeable. For example, someone who drinks heavily may feel irritable, anxious, or restless when they skip alcohol for a day.
They may also struggle with sleep or experience mood swings. While these symptoms might not seem severe, they indicate that the body and mind are beginning to rely on the substance to function normally.
If you do experience any of the above, then there are options for help. That could be rehab, it could be reaching out to friends and family, or joining support groups. The important thing is you aren’t alone and by recognising the signs early, you can nip it in the bud and ensure you don’t fall down the slippery pathway of addiction.
