Having a drug or alcohol addiction is a serious issue that can impact every aspect of your life. Some people believe they have their addictions under control, and some even do to an extent. However, it’s not always easy to tell if you’re drinking too much or if you’re abusing your prescription medications. It’s also often difficult to admit to yourself that you have a problem. Even hearing it from someone else may not be enough to make you realise you need to go to rehab. If you suspect you may have a drug or alcohol problem, here are some of the signs that you need to seek treatment.
You Hide Your Habits
If you find yourself hiding how much you drink or use prescription medications from your friends and family, it’s a good sign that you know you’re using too much. This is especially true if you start lying about your habits. Lying once about going to the bar may seem harmless, but it’s usually the first lie in a larger series.
You may find yourself creating more and more fantastic stories to cover the fact that you spend several nights a week out drinking. If you’re abusing prescription medications, you may find that you have to create false medical issues to convince your doctor to give you more pills. Once started, hiding your habits can easily spiral out of control.
You’re Consistently Late to Work
Another sign that you’re dealing with alcohol or drug addiction is that you’re consistently late to work, school, or other obligations. This can be because you’re high or hungover, or it may be because you’re trying to score your next fix or are drinking. No matter what the reason, if you look back at the last few months and see a pattern of being late or simply skipping events, it shows you have a problem. Of course, there are some addicts who are still punctual, but these highly-functioning users are still addicts.
You Think About Using Constantly
In between drinking or getting high, do you find yourself thinking about your next fix? If so, it’s a sign that your addiction has now taken over your life to the point that all you want to do is get high or drink. In between doing this, it’s all you can think about. This means being distracted at work or getting agitated when you can’t get home fast enough to get your fix.
You Have Withdrawal Symptoms
If you go too long without a drink or a hit, do you start to feel sick? You may be experiencing withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can range from feeling nauseated and having a headache to having tremors and hallucinations. It all depends on what kind of drug you were using and how high a dose you have taken. In some cases, you can even fall into a coma, have a heart attack, or experience other potentially fatal side effects. If you drink a lot, you may have alcohol poisoning. If you’ve ever had a major health scare related to your addiction, it’s certainly time to seek rehab.
