There are many signs that point to drug addiction, and recognizing them in your family member sooner rather than later might be an important step in helping them get treatment. The symptoms of drug addiction in your family member or loved one might include:
Of course none of these conditions necessarily means a drug problem on its own. There can be other reasonable explanations for even a handful of these events to be occurring in a person’s life without it being a drug addiction, or substance abuse. A combination of quite a few of them together, causing a noticeable difference in that person’s life, however, could mean there is a problem
If you think that someone in your family is exhibiting some of these signs, it is best to observe them over a few weeks’ time and see what insights you might gain. There could be other reasons for the signs, but it could be drug addiction. Of course you don’t want the problem to go on for too long, if it is substance abuse, so consulting with a doctor or an addictions counsellor, like the ones at Horizon’s Clinic, will help you sort out what’s going on in your family member’s life, and if it is a drug addiction issue.
You know your family member better than most people, so be sure to take into account their usual behaviour and daily life. If your teenaged child is usually apathetic about hygiene, or gets bad grades, or misses curfew, then these occurrences are not necessarily indicative of a drug problem. But if you notice a variety of these signs spring up in a short period of time, there is possibly a problem.
Financial problems are also a good indicator of a drug problem, so if your spouse seems to be hemorrhaging money, or you’re noticing odd withdrawals on your chequing account, that might also point to a problem. Again, you know the regular behaviour better than anyone, so keep a vigilant eye on the changes that occur.
As the family member, be sure you’re getting the right support for what’s going on. By connecting with Horizon’s Clinic, you’ll rest assured that your loved one is getting the treatment they need, and you’re also getting the help to get through this hard time.