The signs of addiction are not always immediately apparent. The more dramatic manifestations like overdose, car accidents or arrest present an obvious red flag.
What about the more subtle signs of addiction? How can you tell if your child or your spouse is addicted? What are the clues that may mean someone you care about is struggling with drugs or alcohol?
Luckily, there are some key things we can watch for. Denial is often a problem when it comes to people we care about. We do not want to believe the worst about them. We dread addressing the problem head-on. We may be afraid of how the person will react if we confront them. If we are going to help, however, it is essential that we put these things aside.
Here are some signs of addiction you can look for:
1.) A sudden need for secrecy.
Everyone deserves privacy. However, if a person suddenly seems to require a lot more of it, that can be a warning sign of an addiction. A person who stays out late night after night and is evasive about explaining where they have been and with whom may be in trouble with drugs or developing a substance use disorder (SUD). New acquaintances whom they try to keep you away from seeing or meeting can be a sign they are using drugs or alcohol, too.
2.) Unexplained financial problems.
A drug habit usually gets expensive before too long. For example, you might notice that someone who is drinking to excess will often spend irresponsibly and run up bar tabs. A person who suddenly seems to be out of money or sells their most prized possessions may be wrestling with addiction.
3.) Changes in appearance could signal an addiction
Drug and alcohol abuse takes a toll on our bodies. Both the chemicals themselves and the lifestyles associated with using them may be seen in a person’s appearance.
Some appearance changes