What is Addiction?
Addiction is the obsession to use any mood or mind altering substance or behavioral to alter ones state of being, then is followed by the compulsion to keep using despite any negative consequences in ones life. Addiction is now recognized by the American Medical Association as a disease, evident by the alteration of the addicted individuals brain chemistry as a result of using drugs.
Untreated addiction almost always results in deterioration of physical health, broken relationships with families, friends, and loved ones, legal issues, and isolation from society.Addiction is a chronic, progressive and fatal disease if left untreated. The good news is that addiction is treatment, and people do recover. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction,contact our 24-hour Nationwide Help Line at 1-(888)-755-7227.
Signs & Symptoms
An individual may show one or more of these symptoms, this does not mean they suffer form addiction. These are the most common symptoms caused by addiction, however depression,anxiety and other behavioral health issues may also be present. The important thing is that any change in ones behavior requires attention.
Behavioral Symptoms
Mood Swings: All substances including Alcohol cause mood swings. They can range
from extreme feelings of euphoria, to chronic depression. These mood swings sometimes
can change rapidly and several times per day.
Changes in Personality: A person who normally would be outgoing and sociable becomes
depressed and reclusive, losing interested in activities that would normally be enjoyable.
Defensiveness: “playing the victim”. The person feels like they are the one being persecuted against, placing the blame on others, usually loved ones that they are the ones
who are the problem.
Changes in Emotiona: Abnormally happy, sad, hostile, or angry.
Self-Centeredness: Always having to have their way and will resort to drastic measures to achieve it.
Manipulation: Making excuses for failure or finding ways to have other people handle, their problems or bear the consequences of their actions or behaviors.
Apathy: Lack of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure such as sports, hobbies,
and spending time with friends.
School and Work Problems: Repeated tardiness and absences, erratic behavior at work,poor grades, dis-regarding assignments and responsibilities resulting in termination,
suspension or expulsion.
Anxious Behavior: Rapid speech, compulsive itching and scratching, uncontrollable
movement of arms and legs.
Physical Symptoms
- Drastic change in appearance, noticeable weight gain/loss.
- Loss of Appetite
- Eyes bloodshot or watery, dilated or constricted pupils.
- Sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, frequent sicknesses that resemble flu-like symptoms.
- Nausea, vomiting, and constipation Constant runny nose, redness around nostrils
What is Alcoholism?
An alcoholic drinks compulsively, despite negative consequences they might experience as a result of drinking. The obsession to drink alcohol consumes an Alcoholics daily life, making it very difficult to accomplish simple tasks without drinking alcohol, or thinking about alcohol. An alcoholic commonly will decline in health and possibly legal and emotional consequences as a direct result of alcoholism. Alcoholism affects not just the Alcoholic, but also the family/loved ones. Alcoholism puts a strain on relationships, causing the people closest to the alcoholic withdraw their support after repeated episodes.
Many people confuse alcoholism with alcohol abuse. While most consider these two conditions to be the same, they are very different yet equally dangerous conditions. Both are exceedingly difficult to rehabilitate without the proper treatment.
On the bright side, just because someone is at risk of alcoholism doesn’t necessarily mean they will develop Alcoholism. Each individuals risk level needs to be assessed, and behaviors can be changed in order for someone to avoid becoming an alcoholic