Behavioral Signs of Drug Addiction
How Drug Addiction Affects Your Behavior
When substance abuse and alcohol or drug addiction takes over your life, it affects all aspects of your physical, mental, and behavioral health. Alcoholism and drug addiction cause physical changes to the brain which can affect your personality, mood and behaviors. Drug abuse and addiction cause surges of neurotransmitters in the reward system of the brain which leads to compulsive use, meaning the person cannot willingly stop using drugs or alcohol because they are having irresistible urges to keep using. Although it can be difficult at times to tell if someone has a substance abuse issue, there are behavioral signs and physical signs, such as dilated pupils, red eyes, slurred speech, and extreme fatigue, you can look out for.
6 Behavioral Signs of Drug Abuse
- Loss of interest in things once enjoyed
Drug addictions will take over your life completely and will become the most important thing in your life. Your interests will slowly lose ground to substance use.
- Becoming secretive and suspicious.
Usually those engaging in drug or alcohol use frequently, will try to do it in private and choose to spend more time alone. Often this is due to the fact they know deep down they have a problem and their loved ones would not approve of their excessive use.
- New or worsening mental health disorders
Developing new or worsening anxiety or depression are signs of drug abuse sometimes. Alcohol and drug addiction can cause underlying mental health disorders to appear or make already existing issues much worse.
- Mood swings
Another symptom of drug abuse are volatile emotions because many substances impair the user’s ability to manage emotional input. They may exhibit moods out of character such as irritability, extreme upset, sudden misery, or anger.
- Engaging in risky behavior
Substance abuse affects your prefrontal cortex which is involved in self-control. Individuals may exhibit risk-taking behavior or unethical behavior such as stealing from loved ones.
- Defensiveness
Changes in behavior may include becoming defensive anytime their substance use is brought up. They may become hostile or aggressive as a way to distract away from their issues.
Call Daybreak Treatment Solutions today at (844) 695-0083 for help in overcoming your addiction.
How to Get Help for Drug Addiction
Drug or alcohol addiction is progressive disease and the sooner you get drug addiction treatment, the better chance of good recovery outcomes. There are several types of treatment programs available that can help anyone with any type of substance abuse, no matter how severe or long it has been going on for. The best way to get help from drug and alcohol addiction is to ask loved ones for help or to reach out to treatment centers. A rehab center can offer comprehensive behavioral health treatment that will address the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of drug addiction.
If you are trying to help a loved one with substance abuse issues, there are ways to approach them that may increase their chances of getting help. Making sure you come from a place of concern rather than lecturing or treating, may give better results. Offer your support and let them know you care about them and their wellbeing. Encourage them to get help and offer to help them find the right treatment center.
DayBreak Treatment Solutions Drug Addiction Program
DayBreak Treatment Solutions offers help for those struggling with addiction. Our treatment programs are available as inpatient residential treatment or outpatient rehab to help any drug addiction severity. Treatment plans are personalized and composed of various behavioral health therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, and holistic addiction treatments. We also include relapse prevention planning and alumni events to help clients continuously stay active in their recovery efforts long after their treatment programs have concluded.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, please contact us today at (844) 695-0083. Our addiction specialists are available to answer any questions you may have and to walk you through the process of getting help.