11 signs your alcohol or drug use is becoming a problem
If you’re wondering whether your alcohol or drug use has become an issue, recognizing warning signs can help you to decide if it’s time to seek help. This post will share 11 warning signs to be aware of when determining if your alcohol or drug use is becoming a problem. But first, in order to get the answer that you seek – an answer that only lies within you – you must begin your search with the following:
- Willingness – be willing to look deep inside your innermost self and listen.
- Complete honesty – be rigorously honest, not with others, but with yourself. It is possible – not probable – that you are able to fool others, but you must be honest with yourself.
Examining Your Alcohol Or Drug Use
Substance use can start innocuously, perhaps as a way to unwind or socialize. However, for some, it can escalate into a problematic pattern that affects their well-being, relationships, and daily functioning. Recognizing the early signs of a substance use problem can be a first step in getting the help that you or a loved one needs. Listed below are 11 signs that your alcohol or drug use might be more than just a casual habit. When reading the following warnings, ask yourself both if, and how, you can relate. Don’t forget to listen to the answers that come up from deep within your innermost self. Oftentimes, our defenses and rationalizations can prevent us from facing the truth.
11 Symptoms to beware for anyone concerned with their alcohol or drug use
- 1
Overshooting The Mark – Drinking alcohol or using substances in larger amounts or for longer periods than you meant to.
- 2Failed Attempts to Cut Down or Quit – If you have tried to cut down or quit using the substance but find yourself unable to do so, this can be a sign of dependency and potential addiction.
- 3Preoccupation – Spending a lot of time thinking about getting, using, or recovering from alcohol and/or drug use.
- 4
Increased Tolerance – Needing to drink or use more in order to achieve the same effect is a sign that your alcohol or drug use has become a problem.
- 5Cravings – Constantly thinking about alcohol or drugs, planning your day around its use, or experiencing intense cravings.
- 6Neglecting Responsibilities – Your alcohol or drug use interferes with your responsibilities at work, school, or home. Missed deadlines, declining performance, or neglected chores can indicate a problem. Missed deadlines, declining performance, or neglected chores can indicate a problem.
- 7Relationship Problems – Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships such as conflicts with friends, family or partners. Dishonesty, secrecy, and broken promises can strain relationships and create isolation.
- 8
Withdrawal Symptoms – Experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, nausea, or headaches which can be relieved by resuming alcohol or drug use can be an indication of a problem with your alcohol and drug use.
- 9Loss of Interest in Activities – Losing interest in hobbies and activities you once enhoyed can signal that substance use is becoming a central focus in your life.
- 10Ignoring Negative Consequence – Continuing alcohol or drug use despite experiencing negative consequences, such as health problems, legal issues, or financial difficulties, shows a disregard for the harmful impact on your life.
- 11Ignoring Negative Consequence – Continuing alcohol or drug use despite experiencing negative consequences, such as health problems, legal issues, or financial difficulties, shows a disregard for the harmful impact on your life.
Diagnosing An alcohol or drug use problem
The “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”, Fifth Edition, or DSM-V-TR, is the latest version of the American Psychiatric Association’s gold-standard text on the names, symptoms, and diagnostic features of every recognized mental illness—including addictions or substance use disorders. The DSM-5-TR allows clinicians to specify how severe or how much of a problem the substance use disorder is, depending on how many symptoms (illustrated above) are identified.
- 1
MILD: Two or three symptoms indicate a mild substance use disorder.
- 2
MODERATE: Four or five symptoms indicate a moderate substance use disorder.
- 3
SEVERE: Six or more symptoms indicate a severe substance use disorder.
Concern regarding a substance use disorders should be evaluated by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed counselor specializing in drug and alcohol addictions. A healthcare practitioner will often conduct an evaluation by completing a physical exam and taking a medical history. They may also ask questions about current and past substance use, including its frequency, amount, and duration along with how your substance use is affecting your overall wellbeing.
What to do next
If you think that you or a loved one might have a problem with your alcohol and/or drug use, effective treatments are available that can help. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of your alcohol and/or drug use becoming problematic is the first step toward addressing a problem. It is important to take these signs seriously. Substance use can quickly escalate from a minor issue to a significant problem, but with the right support and resources, prevention and recovery is possible. Below are some steps to take next.
In some cases, suddenly stopping your substance use can be risky or potentially fatal. You can work with a qualified medical professional to devise a plan for safe detox. A doctor may also recommend medications that can help you recover and manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach for treating substance use disorders. Work with professionals to find the right approach to address your needs, provide appropriate support, and foster long-term recovery from the pain and problems that often underlie alcohol and drug problems. Recovery is possible and The Hollywood & Vine Recovery Center is here to help.
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