How to Identify if a Friend Has Become an Addict

Addiction is described as a brain disorder that makes us too attached to a substance or an activity. According to research conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2013, over 9.4% of the population in the United States is addicted to an illicit drug. It had increased by 1.1% from the preceding year and it has only been increasing since then. Addiction to alcohol or drugs destroys your body from inside at a rapid pace. It’s no joke – people die because of it.

If you feel a friend or relative is using too much of a substance, he might be addicted to it. Addiction becomes very difficult to defeat as it matures. It should be identified and fought as soon as possible to keep the damage to a minimum. I’ve shared a few signs to recognize addiction in this article. You should take necessary action and get the help of professionals if you see these signs in yourself, friend, or a relative.

See Changes in Physique

The first and most apparent change you will notice in addicts is their weak body and bad health. There could be an abrupt loss of weight. Addicts are constantly ill and face a problem recalling things. You will notice their skin, teeth, and hair going bad. There might also be injuries on their body that they can’t explain. Some other withdrawal symptoms also include vomiting, trembling, and sweating. Drug addicts also have difficulty in speech when they don’t get their dose.
It is recommended to contact a reputed rehabilitation center and send the addict to them for recovery. You can see Turning Point Rehab locations at this link to find one nearest to your home. These centers have professional staff and a safe environment designed to help addicts recover.

Personality is Different

People are longer themselves once they become an addict. Everyone around them feels something different and we’re not talking physically this time. They feel like a different person who behaves and treats everyone differently. You will their sense of humor, communication style, and temperament isn’t the way it used to be. Addicts also frequently experience depression and suicidal thoughts.

Irresponsible Behavior

Addicts usually find their interest in their addiction only. They are no longer as smart, sharp, or responsible as they once were. You will see them facing more problems everywhere they go. They might not pay attention to themselves and things around them. If you see a neat and clean person no longer cleans his room, wearing dirty clothes, quickly get into fights, and getting fired from work, then he is likely trapped in addiction.

Frequent Mood Swings

Drug or alcohol addicts don’t have much control over themselves. They easily get mad and have frequent mood swings. Addicts destroy all their relations with family and friends due to their bad behavior. It’s not that they don’t feel bad about it, but they can’t control it. Addicts easily get irritated and lash out. There can be more than one reason behind mood swings. You should also look for signs other than mood swings before jumping to any conclusion.

Overuse of the Substance

There are different types of addiction. It can be to a substance of an activity. The most common and fatal is substance addiction. A person might be addicted to alcohol or maybe to a drug. It’s no big deal if they drink alcohol, but too much of anything is bad. See if a person is consuming too much alcohol. They might frequently smoke weed or use heroin. Dependency on a substance is also a sign of addiction.