For most people, realizing that a friend or loved one has become addicted to substance abuse hits them unawares. Many will often blame themselves and wonder how they never noticed or saw the signs. Drug addiction is dangerous and can result in disastrous consequences if left unattended. This is why recognizing the signs of drug addiction in your loved ones is vital to helping them. The good news is that you can get help for a loved one struggling with drug addiction through programs like our drug addiction treatment program at Ethan Crossing Cleveland.
10 Signs of Drug Addiction
While everyone’s experience with substance abuse and addiction is unique, many signs and symptoms are common to most people addicted to drug use and need a residential treatment program. Some of these signs are:
- Isolation: Aristotle once said that human beings are social animals by nature. This is why we often rely on the companionship of others for our well-being. Although it is normal for people to take some alone time to themselves, it becomes unusual when they spend excessive time behind closed doors.
- Mood swings: It is normal for a lively person to have days when they feel down, and it can also be usual for a calm and collected person to have excitable days. However, when it becomes evident that your loved one has frequent mood swings from one extreme to the other, it can indicate something serious.
- Habitual lying: Addicted individuals often lie, cover up their substance abuse and prevent prying from friends and families. So, if you observe that your loved one has become deceptive and secretive, they are most likely hiding a drug addiction from you.
- Financial stress: People with drug addiction problems always need cash to support their habits. They will often start borrowing money from friends and families, stealing, or pawning off their possessions.
- Loss of interest: Everyone has one of two hobbies they love or a group of friends they enjoy spending time with regularly. When a person starts exhibiting changes from this norm, you should be alert, indicating a problem.
- Defensiveness: People with drug addiction are defensive when talking to them about any recent behavioral changes they have been exhibiting.
- Drastic weight loss: Most of the illicit drugs that people abuse have a suppressing effect on a person’s appetite, leading to weight loss. So, a considerable amount of weight loss in a loved one with no apparent reason can be a hint of drug use disorder.
- Changes in sleep: Due to the influence of drugs, you will find that someone struggling with drug addiction can have erratic sleeping habits. Such a person may start sleeping less, being awake for days at a time, or sleeping way too much.
- Change in social circles: People who are addicted to drug use tend to push away their loved ones to hide their addiction while also surrounding themselves with people who have similar habits.
- Work, school, and legal Issues: People with drug addiction problems usually experience negative consequences that affect their personal, school, or work life. They may end up doing poorly in school to the extent of getting expelled or getting fired from multiple jobs. They may also have their fair share of run-ins with the law on charges of stealing, DUIs, or possessions.
Get Treatment for Your Loved One at Ethan Crossing Cleveland
You might have heard of the myth that overcoming an addiction is simply a matter of willpower, and a person can stop using drugs if they wanted to. But the fact is that although willpower can play a role in overcoming addiction, it can’t do it alone. Prolonged substance abuse often changes the brain chemistry, leading to craving and compulsive use of drugs, making it impossible to quit with only willpower.
So, if your loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t leave them to handle it themselves. Get help for them through our substance abuse treatment program in Cleveland, Ohio. Our facility offers state-of-the-art programs and services to treat all substances like:
- Detox programs
- Men’s rehab
- Women’s rehab
- Residential treatment program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment program
We also offer individual, family, and group therapy across all our programs.
Learn More About Drug Addiction Treatment at Ethan Crossing Cleveland
At Ethan Crossing Cleveland, we aren’t just all about addiction treatment. We are also interested in inspiring hope, restoring peace of mind, and healing lives. We want to help our guests or clients to live their best lives! Contact us by filling our secure online form today or give us a telephone call at 855.967.2436 to experience incredible transformation at our comfortable center!