Admitting to yourself that you need help for a drug or alcohol dependency issue can be a really hard and scary thing to do.
After all, it is basically the process of admitting to yourself that you are sick with a potentially deadly illness that you need to seek treatment for as soon as possible. And treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is – of course – not as easy as simply taking a pill. You have to do major mental and physical work to overcome the root causes of your addiction.
That is why one of the most important aspects of getting the treatment that you need is actually coming to the conclusion that you truly do need that treatment in the first place.
So what are the signs that going to an addiction recovery center such as The Forge Recovery Center should be your next move? Here are some tell-tale signs that you should examine yourself and life to get a better idea if you have truly hit the point where you can no longer manage your substance use and have become a true addict.
Let’s get started.
You meet more than three criteria for a substance abuse disorder
Just like any illness, some symptoms and signs have officially been connected to substance abuse and addiction. If you meet three or more of the following criteria, you should take it as a sign that you are struggling with diagnosable addiction:
- Insatiable cravings
- Giving up hobbies
- Health issues
- A significant portion of time spent using
- Repeated failed attempts to stop
- Using moreover longer periods
- Increased tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Interpersonal and social problems
- Endangering yourself and others
You realize that drug or alcohol is your main priority
Eventually, the life of an addict revolves around getting and using the substance or substances that they are addicted to. If you start to realize that your entire life is starting to focus on when, how, and where to get the substance that you use, then you have to reckon with the fact that you may be falling into addiction.
You are dealing with other health issues as a result of your use
While some people can get by moderately using drugs or alcohol without major health issues cropping up, constant use or usage in high doses nearly always leads to other health issues. Whether it is physical issues or mental health issues, if you are feeling that your drug or alcohol use is starting to endanger your life in other ways, you should take that as a clear sign that you need to seek help to protect yourself as quickly as you can.
Your addiction is draining your funds
If you start to realize that you are spending any money you have saved, or any money you get from your job on drugs or alcohol, you need to consider the fact that you are addicted and need to seek treatment as soon as possible.
