You know that something isn’t right. But is your loved one struggling with addiction? Unlike other diseases like cancer or diabetes, there isn’t a test you can take to find out, in black and white, that you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol. And when you do figure out there’s a problem, it’s not as easy as popping a pill to make it all go away.
So how do you know if your loved one is struggling with addiction? You might even be asking yourself, "Does my husband need rehab?" Here are some signs that they may be hiding a pattern of substance abuse.
1. Physical Signs of Substance Abuse
Drugs and alcohol take a toll on your body, so striking physical changes are often one of the first major signs that something is wrong. Has your loved one gained or lost a lot of weight in a short period of time? Has their skin turned pale and waxy, or do they have open sores on their body — or even track marks on their arms? Do you recognize who you see when you look into their eyes or have they turned glassy, blood-shot, and empty? These are all possible physical signs of addiction.
2. Behavioral Signs of Substance Abuse
At the same time, drugs and alcohol cause a serious impact on behavior. Has your loved one been acting like someone you don’t know? Are they hanging out with new friends, taking up new hobbies, or abandoning hobbies that they used to love? Are they missing work or other commitments when they used to be a star employee? Major changes in behavior could be a sign of a secret addiction.
3. Emotional Signs of Substance Abuse
Behavioral changes often come with emotional ones, as well. Irritability, rage, and mood swings are all typical signs of substance abuse. Depression, paranoia, and anxiety can be caused by drugs and alcohol as well. Sudden emotional changes with no obvious external cause are often the result of substance abuse.
4. Financial Signs of Substance Abuse
Secret signs of substance abuse could be hidden in your bank statements. If you see frequent charges at bars and restaurants, or big withdrawals from ATMs, your money could be going to support a drug or alcohol habit. If your loved one keeps spending on their habit despite the impact on your family’s bottom line, it could be a sign of a substance abuse issue.
5. Spiritual Signs of Substance Abuse
Finally, drugs and alcohol can poison spirituality and faith. If religion used to be a big part of your loved one’s life, but they’ve turned away, it could be a sign that their thoughts are overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol. At the same time, if they haven’t been especially religious and suddenly embrace spirituality with a new fervor, drugs or alcohol could be behind it.
Getting Help for Substance Abuse
Figuring out if your loved one has a drug or alcohol problem can be tricky, because denial is a major part of any addiction. It’s not as simple as just asking. But, you can ask us! Give our team a call and we’ll listen to what is happening in your home. We can give you honest feedback on your situation, with tips and advice for next steps. If you're ready to move forward, we can even tell you what to expect from rehab at Country Road.
Isn’t it time to start a new road for your family? You don’t have to live that way any more, and you don’t have to go it alone. Let us help.