20
Signs of Addiction, Part 1
Adapted from the article "20 Secret Signs of Addiction:
Learn the tell-tale signs that a loved one is addicted to
drugs or alcohol" by Melanie Haiken, Caring.com. The
whole article can be referenced here: URL: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100260596>1=31036
We'll look at 5 each week.
I know from personal experience
that knowing whether someone you love has a problem with alcohol
or drugs isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Most people
who overuse alcohol and drugs become adept at disguising their
behavior. Shame, embarrassment, and fear of consequences will
cause someone to go to extreme lengths to disguise their behavior.
In many cases, the person who's drinking too much or using
drugs will deny they have any problem at all.
Sadly, many times we don't find out until a tragedy, such
as a drunk driving accident or an overdose, has occurred.
And then we're left wondering why we didn't spot the signs
of addiction earlier. Knowing these 20 secret signs of addiction
can help you prevent that from happening.
1. Quality Control: Over time, a higher tolerance to
alcohol or drugs leads people with addiction problems to increase
the quantity and frequency of their substance of choice without
showing signs of being out of control. You might notice that
someone refills his or her glass more often than anyone else,
or is always the one to suggest opening another bottle of
wine. Prescription drug users will start going through a prescription
faster, complaining that they "ran out" or that
"the doctor forgot to renew my prescription."
2. Hide-and-seek around the house: Quick, check under
the bathroom sink-is there a bottle hiding behind the Ajax?
How about in the laundry room behind the detergent, or in
the garage? Over time, alcoholics and addicts develop a network
of hiding places to stash their drugs. You may notice that
the person is oddly protective of certain rooms or areas of
the house or garage, insisting that they be kept private.
3. The disappearing act: The need for money and the
desperation of addiction make anything fair game. "Items
like cameras and jewelry begin to disappear from your house;
family heirlooms are taken to a pawn shop," says Jacqueline
E. Barnes, author of The Whirlpool-Surviving a Loved One's
Addiction. "Sadly, addicts lose touch with guilt and
remorse. They'll sell anything from family and friends to
get money to buy drugs."
4. A head start: "Priming the pump" or drinking
alone before going out with friends is a big red flag, experts
say. Alcoholics want to appear to be just like their friends
in public, but their tolerance is much higher, so they have
to drink a lot more.
5. Tricks and manipulations: Hiding an addiction leads
to constant subterfuge. Teenagers and young adults who are
starting to use drugs may throw parents and teachers off the
track by admitting to use of a lesser drug, like pot, when
harder drugs are the real problem. And all alcoholics and
addicts make great use of the "divide and conquer"
strategy, manipulating family members by telling one thing
to one person, something else to another. This typically takes
the form of half-confessions. "They may be honest with
one family member about one thing and honest about another
thing to someone else, but no one family member will know
everything," says John Massella of Gateway. If it feels
like your family's getting tangled up in lies and half-truths,
it's time to pay attention.
~Shawn
