Anyone who has been close to an addict has probably experienced that sad sense of helplessness when they see someone they love struggling with a substance abuse problem. Addicts are drawn to the people in their lives because they know it will be easy to get whatever they want from them. That might be a dangerous and illegal substance, such as alcohol or drugs, or it could be something more innocent, like a favorite candy or video game. Someone who is addicted will use anything and anyone to fulfill their cravings for that particular substance. It can be hard to watch your loved one struggle with a drug problem, but do you know if your family member is showing other signs that could signal an issue? If you think someone you care about might be at risk of developing an addiction, there are some things you should keep in mind. Even if you don’t think your family member is exhibiting any outward signs of addiction yet, there’s always the chance they could get trapped by this destructive behavior in the future and need help getting free again. Keep reading if you want to learn more about addiction in the family and how you can help ease your loved one’s burden before it becomes too much to handle. Trust the leading Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre in Pune – Trucare Trust is here to help you recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a brain disease characterized by compulsive behaviors that are harmful to both the individual and those around them. When someone is addicted to a substance, they experience a strong desire to use that substance, even when they know it will harm them in some way. Addicted people will do whatever it takes to get their hands on that substance, even if it means putting themselves at serious risk. Once addicted, there’s no way to change their brains back to a normal, non-harmful state, so those individuals will always have to rely on treatment and support from others to stay clean and sober.
Why Does Someone Become Addicted?
We don’t know exactly why some people become addicted to drugs or alcohol, but it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease of the brain. While genetics and other factors probably play a role in vulnerability to addiction, there is also a strong likelihood that someone developed a vulnerability to addictive behavior during their childhood. The environment you grow up in can have a huge effect on your own personality and behavior, and children who are exposed to substances and activities that are highly addictive are more at risk than others of developing a similar pattern of behavior in their own lives. Addiction affects the reward circuitry in a person’s brain, leading them to crave substances even when they are causing negative consequences for themselves and those around them. The drugs and alcohol addicts use to self-medicate uncomfortable emotions, so when someone isn’t feeling sad or stressed, they don’t have the appropriate coping mechanisms in place. Instead, addicts will turn to the very thing that is making them feel worse.
Signs of Addiction in the Family
— Someone Who Is Addicted Is Always Looking For Ways To Get Drugs Or Alcohol. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is Unusually Interested in the Substance. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is Easily Impressed by the Addict. — Someone Who Is Addicted Has Trouble Recognizing the Addict’s Destruction. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is More Likely to Be Violent When Stressed. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is More Likely to Have Relationship Issues. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is Less Likely to Make Good Decisions. — Someone Who Is Addicted Gets Contributions from Others to Support their Habit. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is More Likely to Be Arrested. — Someone Who Is Addicted Is More Likely to Commit Suicide.
Helping an Addict While They’re Still Struggling With Substance Abuse
The first thing for you to do is recognize that someone you care about is an addict. If you think someone may have a substance abuse problem, don’t ignore it or try to fix it yourself—go to an intervention or seek treatment. This is the best course of action because you’ll never know how serious the addiction is and how much help your loved one actually needs until they get the help they need. When someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, the most important thing you can do is keep them safe. If your loved one is using substances, make sure they are always wearing a drug or alcohol monitor bracelet so no one else can use them without permission. If someone is using other illegal substances, like prescription drugs or steroids, you need to remove those from their possession as quickly as possible. Do not confront the addict directly; instead, report the substance to the authorities and get a friend or family member to help remove the substance from their possession.
Aftercare for Recovery from Addiction
When someone has been through addiction treatment and is free of substance use, you need to make sure they get the aftercare they need to stay clean and sober for the long haul. Someone who has been addicted to drugs or alcohol will experience strong cravings for the substance, and they will also experience a high degree of anxiety when they don’t have access to those substances. If someone has been clean and sober for a while, they are going to feel disappointed and anxious when those cravings arise because they have not gotten what they need. It’s important to talk to your loved one about the line between addiction and normal human desire, even if they don’t want to hear it. It’s important for your loved one to understand that there is a difference between cravings and the normal desire to have a substance.
Conclusion
Addiction is a serious brain disease that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Knowing someone you love is at risk for developing an addiction can be incredibly difficult to deal with, but it’s important not to ignore the signs. It’s also important to remember that addiction can happen to anyone at any time, and it’s not something that can be solved with a single intervention. If you think someone you love is struggling with an addiction, try to remember that they are also hurting and vulnerable, and don’t try to solve the problem on your own. Instead, get help from a licensed professional and wait on the sidelines until the person you love is ready to receive it.
