The struggle with addiction has been an alarming issue in the United States, impacting the lives of families and communities in every part of the nation. Over 46 million people aged 12 or older met the criteria for having a substance use disorder in 2021, and an astonishing 94% of people who met the criteria for a drug and alcohol addiction did not receive any treatment at all [1].
The need for quality, evidence-based, and comprehensive addiction treatment is evident in getting the help needed to begin the recovery process. We’re here to help you understand the signs of drug addiction and determine if your loved one would benefit from treatment options that can point them toward a more fulfilling life.
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What are the 5 warning signs of addiction?
Identifying the signs of potential addiction can help you better understand when your loved one needs professional help. Ongoing drug or alcohol use is not always apparent, but several physical, behavioral, psychological, and relational issues are typically present during a struggle with addiction.
1. Physical signs you can observe
Physical signs you might notice in your loved one include:
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Sudden loss of hygiene and grooming habits
- Bloodshot or glassy eyes
- Frequent illnesses or unexplained injuries
- Tremors or changes in sleep patterns that seem unusual
2. Behavioral patterns and disturbances
Behavioral changes can be apparent, including:
- Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities
- Sudden desire for isolation
- Lying about their whereabouts
- Stealing money or valuables
- Showing up late to important commitments
- Abandon hobbies, relationships, and responsibilities that are important to them
3. Psychological and emotional struggles
Psychological struggles are often seen as:
- A sharp increase in irritability
- Lack of motivation
- Neglect of responsibilities
- Experiencing increased anxiety or depression
- Dramatic mood swings
- Periods of hyperactivity followed by crashes
- Seems emotionally distant from family members
4. Relational difficulties and social changes
Relational difficulties, such as:
- Strained or neglected relationships
- Increased conflicts
- Loss of connection
- Choosing new friends who also use substances
- Abandoning longtime relationships with family and friends
5. Performance-related issues
Performance issues such as a decline in professional or academic performance, a sudden loss of income, and other financial consequences, or legal issues arising from addiction-related activities, often become apparent. Your loved one may receive disciplinary action at work or school, miss important deadlines, or face financial problems they can’t explain.
When does a person need to go to rehab?
Understanding when professional treatment becomes necessary can feel overwhelming for families. Several key factors indicate that your loved one needs more support than they can manage on their own or through outpatient counseling alone.
Related: How to Know if You Could Benefit from Addiction Treatment Rehab
Safety concerns require immediate action
Your loved one needs immediate professional help if they:
- Experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Mix multiple substances regularly
- Use substances in dangerous situations, like driving or operating machinery
- Have overdosed or had medical emergencies related to use
- Express thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids can be life-threatening without proper medical supervision [2]. Never attempt to manage severe withdrawal symptoms at home, as this can result in serious medical complications or even death.
Multiple failed attempts to quit
If your loved one has tried to stop using substances on their own multiple times without success, professional treatment becomes necessary. Each failed attempt often leads to increased shame and hopelessness, making the next attempt even harder without proper support and medical intervention.
When multiple life areas are affected
When addiction impacts work, relationships, health, and legal standing simultaneously, comprehensive treatment addresses all these interconnected issues. Trying to fix each problem separately rarely works because they’re all connected to the underlying addiction and often fuel each other.
Co-occurring mental health conditions
Many people battling addiction also deal with depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health conditions. These dual diagnoses require specialized treatment that addresses both issues at the same time, as treating only one while ignoring the other can lead to relapse [3].
How addiction treatment can help your family
Quality addiction treatment programs address all the critical points of the issue, particularly the stress points that many people fail to overcome on their own. The ability to provide patients with a full spectrum of services and environments in which to heal leads to lasting sobriety and success.
Related: Thinking About Recovery? Here’s What You Need to Know about Addiction Inpatient Treatment
Medical detoxification and safety
Treatment centers can help those struggling with addiction address any necessary detoxification issues, allowing them to safely curtail their usage of alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and other drugs under around-the-clock supervision.
Related: What is Alcohol and Drug Detox Treatment and Why Is It So Important?
Addressing underlying mental health needs
Quality treatment aims to untangle and address the underlying mental health needs that caused the addiction through individual therapy and medication management that contribute to addictive behaviors at every level of care.
Family involvement and healing
Treatment can also address the genetic and environmental factors at play by providing family therapy, creating a supportive environment for both your loved one and family members to address familial and interpersonal dynamics at play in addiction.
Related: Guide to Addiction Treatment Rehab
Group support and community
Group therapy plays an important role in comprehensive addiction treatment by dismantling the isolation experienced by those struggling with addiction.
Related: What is Individual and Group Therapy Like in Addiction Treatment Rehab?
Continuing care and long-term support
Quality treatment facilities also offer options for continuing care after the primary treatment programming is complete, including sober living, which allows your loved one to engage in a structured community and peer support in the early-recovery stages. Ongoing access to support groups, aftercare, and an alumni community provides continual support and guidance for the ongoing recovery process, offering an important sense of community, twelve-step facilitation, and the reinforcement of relapse prevention strategies.
Related: From Detox to Aftercare: The Full Journey of Drug Rehab
Starting the conversation to go to rehab
If you suspect that your loved one is struggling with addiction, then it’s important to approach the subject with empathy and concern. These can be difficult conversations to have, but honesty and clear communication are critical ingredients for success.
Choose the right time and approach
When having this conversation:
- Select a time when both you and your loved one are calm
- Choose a private setting where you won’t be interrupted
- Express your concerns with respect and care, not judgment or blame
- Focus on specific behaviors you’ve observed rather than labels
- Allow space for your loved one to share their thoughts and feelings
You can highlight the specific issues you have observed, along with emphasizing the impact addiction has had on their life and the lives of those around them.
Create a safe space for an open dialogue and uncomfortable emotions, allowing your loved one to share their thoughts, feelings, and concerns about their usage and the idea of attending treatment.
Remember that there may be denial associated with their usage, and people struggling with addiction are far more likely to overcome this by receiving genuine and compassionate concern from their loved ones rather than ultimatums or demands.
Related: How To Get Someone Into Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Addiction Treatment
Finding appropriate resources and treatment
Identify the appropriate resources to begin addiction treatment that align with your loved one’s needs. Keep in mind, doing so can be overwhelming for families navigating this process for the first time. Most treatment centers will assist you and your family in locating the appropriate services for ongoing care, offering comprehensive treatment services tailored to address every level of addiction-based and co-occurring issues.
Seeking help is never a sign of weakness; rather, it’s a courageous step toward beginning the healing process and reclaiming a fulfilling and meaningful life. By recognizing the signs of addiction, understanding its complexities, and supporting your loved one’s ability to access the appropriate treatments, you can assist them in embracing the changes necessary to take the first step toward living a vibrant life and long-term recovery.
Call now to start your recovery with expert care and effective treatment
Get your loved one into addiction rehab today
If your loved one is struggling with addiction, contact Clear Behavioral Health today. We offer a full continuum of care for addiction treatment in the Los Angeles, CA area, including medical detox and alcohol detox in Redondo Beach, residential addiction treatment in Gardena, and outpatient addiction treatment programs throughout the South Bay.
Our effective treatment programs are in-network with most insurance plans and utilize evidence-based practices, including individual therapy and group therapy, case management, and holistic methods to provide an all-encompassing treatment experience that can lead to lasting recovery. Call us today to start your healing journey.
References:
- Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (2022). [Report]. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHFFRRev010323.pdf
- Canver, B. R., Newman, R. K., & Gomez, A. E. (2024, February 14). Alcohol withdrawal syndrome. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/
- Co-Occurring disorders and health conditions. (2024, September 30). National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions