Often, when a person develops an addiction, both those around them and the person themselves take some time to realise the new reality the addict is living. Not being aware of this reality can worsen the situation for the addicted person to the point that the longer they go without taking action, the harder the recovery process will be. That is why it is important to stay alert to the signs that may indicate the onset of an addiction. Being aware of this can be very helpful in recognising in time that you have a problem and seeing a professional before the situation gets worse.
The signs of addiction that indicate the start of a disorder
There are a number of signs or signals that may show that a person has developed an addiction. Not all of them need to be present for someone to be suffering from an addiction. Nor is it advisable to assume that someone is developing this disorder simply because they seem to meet one or two of these criteria. We are talking about guidelines to help you know whether there is reason to be concerned and, in any case, to see a professional. They will be the one to make the diagnosis and determine whether the addict is experiencing any of these changes that show they have indeed developed an addiction. Let’s look at the main signs of addiction that indicate this possible problem.
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They become irritable when the subject is brought up
A common attitude in a person with an addiction is how they respond to other people’s questions. If someone close to them suspects they may be developing an addiction and asks about it, the affected person will likely respond in an irritated or hostile way, even if the other person has not pressed the issue too much. The addict tries to avoid the conversation in order to maintain a certain ambiguity. They think their new situation is not yet obvious to everyone and want to keep hiding it as much as possible.
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Old friendships are pushed aside
It is also common for a person who is developing an addiction to stop seeing their long-time friends and instead spend time with other people whose behaviour is similar to their own. For example, if someone starts drinking a lot of alcohol and their lifelong friends barely have a beer at weekends. In this case, the person will disconnect from their group so as not to feel judged. In that case, they may tend to isolate themselves in their free time or seek the company of other people who show addictive patterns in their behaviour.
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Projects are abandoned
If we previously saw how the tendency is to push friends aside, the same happens with projects—even those that used to excite the person. Now, however, they require thinking about them and organising oneself to devote time to them regularly, something the addict can no longer do. Likewise, there begins to be a loss of control in the way they save money or make long-term life plans. In this sense, it can get to the point where they assume that savings are resources to be spent on leisure.
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They try to justify the addiction with a rational reason
Another attitude the person adopts is trying to dress up the real reasons why they use a drug or embrace a non-substance addiction. For example, arguing that these experiences help them concentrate, motivate themselves, etc. This is a transitional stage between the moment when they feel there are reasons to feel guilty and the moment of accepting the problem. They do this when the deterioration caused by the disorder can no longer be hidden.
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They start sleeping badly
Without a doubt, one of the most common signs that there is an addiction. People who begin to develop dependence on a substance or behaviour tend to see many hours of sleep as a waste of time. In addition, anxiety often prevents them from sleeping, as they constantly think about matters related to the next time their uncontrollable need will be satisfied.
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They start using addictive substances in parallel
Very often, people who have some type of addiction and have not received treatment end up combining this addictive behaviour with the use of substances with the potential to create dependence. This does not have to happen in the early stages of addiction, but when it does, it is one of the main warning signs. One example is pathological gambling. When a person has developed these kinds of patterns, it is very likely that those around them will notice they drink more or that they have started trying drugs they had never touched before. This happens even if the addict tries to hide their addictive behaviour.
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They seek to be alone
A person who is developing an addiction is beginning to make satisfying their disorder their top priority. As a result, their social life becomes poorer. This is because their main goal can be achieved in solitude, with the exception of some behavioural addictions such as gambling addiction. In that case, the company of others is necessary, even if merely instrumental. This is a consequence of what they are trying to achieve (placing bets with someone at a poker table, for example).
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Impact at work
Another common consequence of developing an addiction is the loss of prospects for improving one’s work status. They simply start investing only the minimum effort and time needed to keep earning an income, and nothing more. However, there are cases where a person’s life is divided into two obsessions: addiction and work, leaving everything else aside. This may be because working provides moral cover to continue devoting a lot of time to addictive satisfaction behaviours, or to cover debts.
At CCAdicciones, we have the best professionals to help you if you are addicted to any drug or have any other addiction. Get in touch with us if you think you need help to regain control of your life.
