In the past, many people treated addiction and substance abuse as moral failings, or as failings of someone’s self-control. An addict was often thought of as someone who was too weak to resist his or her urges. That view was offensive and counterproductive, but still, it has managed to persist in some people’s minds. Not only is the view harmful to addicts and their families, it is also not very helpful if you want to help someone who is addicted. Treating someone with addiction takes work from the addicted person as well as from those around him or her. There needs to be compassion and understanding that addiction is a disease. However, just as you would not encourage the spread of a disease, you must be careful not to encourage the continued addictive behaviour. Here are a few of the most common signs of addiction and the ways they are currently being understood.
Signs of Addiction
There are several signs of addiction that you might notice in a loved one if you know what to look. If a person’s personality changes dramatically, that is a big sign. Depending on the nature of the abuse, a person might become uninterested in former activities, more energetic or less energetic, and so on. Someone might sleep more than usual or less than usual. Without knowing what someone might be addicted to, you have to just look for dramatic changes in their behaviour.
Furthermore, you should look for signs of the money needed to support an addiction. If someone doesn’t have a lot of money themselves, they’ll need to procure money somehow. If valuables start disappearing, it could be a sign that they’re being pawned. Money missing from your purse or wallet is another sign, with this money often going missing in small dollar increments. Obviously, drug paraphernalia or large amounts of liquor bottles are sure signs of a problem as well. If you notice any of these signs in someone you know, you should research drug rehabilitation centres.
Treating the Problem
You cannot treat an addict until that person wants to be treated. Since addiction is a disease, it changes the way the mind actually works on a physical and psychological level. While the actions or thought processes of an addict might confuse you, that person is possibly incapable of thinking in a way that you fully understand: their brain is fundamentally altered by the disease from which they suffer. Once they are ready for help, though, a rehab facility can help them get back on their feet. As a friend or family member, it is important for you to be supportive. One way to be supportive is to research different facilities.
You need a facility that treats addiction as a disease, treats your loved one with compassion, and has years of dedicated service.
No one is a lost cause; first, you must accept that addiction is a psychical and psychological disease that alters the way an addict thinks and behaves. Once you have that compassion, you will be ready to help them with their problem.
