Approximately 22.7 million people in the U.S. need treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. While this is true, less than one percent receive the care they need.
A person doesn’t have to be physically dependent or addicted to a substance to need rehab. If the abuse has resulted in negative effects in their lives, it’s time to reevaluate things. Sometimes, it’s loved ones who need to identify behaviors and encourage their family member to seek help.
The first step is to get to know the signs that someone close to you may need rehab. Keep reading to learn what these signs are.
Table of Contents
1. Medical Issues Caused by Drug or Alcohol Abuse
Drugs and excess alcohol use can be harmful to a body during an extended period. For example, alcoholism can cause severe damage to the liver, brain, and heart. Use of opiates can slow down a person’s breathing, eventually resulting in permanent brain damage.
The repeated use of some stimulants may even cause psychosis and cardiovascular failure. If the drugs are injected, the needles can increase the individual’s risk of contracting deadly diseases such as hepatitis C or HIV.
If you have noticed that drug or alcohol use is causing visible effects on a loved one’s health, it’s a definite sign that rehab is needed. Don’t ignore these signs.
2. Withdrawal Symptoms
Does your loved one suffer from irritability, paranoia, insomnia, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other problems often? Does it seem to coincide with when they drink or use drugs? These withdrawal symptoms are how addiction gains a stronger hold on someone.
Help your loved one fight back. The right rehab program can help the person get through the withdrawal period and offering medication to ease the worse part of it. There are even holistic rehab centers using uncrossing herbs and other methods to help with this part of the recovery process.
3. Increased Isolation
Does your loved one try to hide their drug and alcohol use from you or others? Do they state they don’t want anyone in their business?
If so, this is a sign they are trying to justify their actions and behavior. This could be because they are embarrassed about what they take or how much they drink. The bottom line is they don’t want anyone to know.
4. They Lie Regularly
Does your loved one tell you very elaborate stores about where they have been or what they do? If this isn’t their usual way of talking, understand they may be lying to you.
Most addicts believe that if they can make up a good story, they can convince other people of anything. This is how they keep the idea that they are in control of the situation. The longer a person is addicted, the more elaborate the stories will become.
5. Anger
If you confront the addict about the lies they tell, they will probably respond with anger. Some may also become violent and try to tell yet another lie to help get themselves out of the situation.
Becoming defensive and angry when trying to discuss the issue is another sign of addiction.
6. Mood Swings
If your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they may have frequent and often violent mood swings. In a short period of time, they could appear happy, but then their mood may turn withdrawn, sad, or angry.
You need to make a note of the rapid change in moods, not the exact state of the moods. Someone who shifts moods often and suddenly needs to seek professional help.
7. Blackouts
If your loved one tells you they can’t remember certain events or periods of time, it is a sign that their drug use or drinking is severe enough to result in blackouts. This is a cause for alarm.
You should talk to your loved one about going to the doctor to see about their health. They can also speak to the doctor about their addiction treatment.
8. The Inability to Stop or Slow Down Alone
Another sign of addiction is if a person makes certain promises to themselves and to others to either reduce their consumption or to stop using completely but cannot do this.
A person who is addicted no longer has a choice regarding if they will or won’t do drugs or drinks. This is because the disease is in control of their actions. The person needs to seek professional abuse treatment right away.
9. They Have Lost Their Job
The addiction may have started without serious consequences, being late at work, arriving tardy a few times, and other similar actions. However, as time passed, the issues became bigger.
If you are afraid, your loved one may lose their job, or if they already have, it’s time to evaluate their drug and alcohol use seriously. Encouraging them to seek help may be the best way for them to hold on to their job.
Is it Time for Rehab?
Encouraging your loved one to seek rehab can be difficult. You may wonder if you are doing the right thing. Unfortunately, this is a problem that many people face and that many families must deal with.
Don’t wait to confront this situation. The longer you wait to speak with your loved one, the more likely the condition will get worse and lead to more serious consequences.
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