Addiction of any kind is a serious issue that needs to be acknowledged. Addiction affects the addict and everyone around them. If you suspect your loved one is suffering from an addiction, it is important to understand the symptoms of addiction. Look for these five symptoms in your partner and help your partner find help.
Lying and Keeping Secrets
Addicts usually tend to lie about their addiction, even if the lies are obvious to you. If your partner is an alcoholic, they might lie about how much they drink. If they are addicted to gambling, they often lie about how long they gamble and how much money they lost. They also tend to become secretive and do not tell you where they are going or where they have been.
Becoming Defensive
When you question your partner about their addiction, they become extremely defensive. Defensiveness about a particular habit is one of the clear signs of addiction. They even tend to turn the blame around onto you, telling you it is your problem, not theirs. Many addicts refuse to even talk about their problem. They simply shut down and avoid the situation entirely.
Experiencing Mood Swings
Mood swings are also a part of any addiction. If your loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they may become depressed, anxious and irritable when they are going through a withdrawal. At the same time, they may be happy and excited when they are using. Similarly, if they are addicted gambling, they feel depressed when they are losing or cannot gamble, but they feel excited and high when they are winning.
Trouble with Money
An addiction usually costs money. Not only does your partner lie about where the money is going, but lots of money is disappearing. They need the money to pay for their addiction. Many addicts begin to steal, deplete savings accounts and even use their retirement funds to feed their addiction.
It is crucial to keep in mind that these are only a few symptoms of addiction. If you have a serious suspicion that your partner might be going through addiction, then you should highly consider consulting a service like Rehab Hotline. They will help you assess whether or not your partner is suffering from a serious addiction. If so, they can also let you know what substance is causing the addiction. Additionally, they are able to help you find the best treatment method based on your location and budget. Don't put it off until later, as addiction rarely gets better without outside assistance.
Isolating Themselves
Another major symptom of addiction is isolation. Addicts often hide their addiction and spend a lot of time alone. However, even if your partner does not hide their addiction, they are emotionally isolated. Addicts usually become withdrawn, feeling that they are all alone. They even stop doing many of the activities they once enjoyed and stop spending time with friends or being social.
Addiction is serious. If your partner is suffering from an addiction, it is affecting both your lives. Make sure to look for these signs of addiction, so you are able to help your partner being the road to recovery.
