There are many misconceptions about addiction. Many factors and effects of addiction are often misrepresented in modern media, though more and more individuals are educating themselves on the topic, especially if they have a friend or loved one who is struggling with the disorder.
In general, an addiction is thought to be a condition in which individuals continuously engage in substance-consuming behaviours and have little regard for the negative consequences that occur as a result of this.
This article will outline some of the common signs that are associated with addiction, as well as how best to help them seek suitable care.
Why do individuals develop addictions?
As with the effects of addiction, the reasons why this addiction develops in the first place are countless and differ across each individual case.
Some individuals, for example, may develop a dependency on substances as a method of coping with their everyday life. This could be due to stresses from work, school, or other everyday factors.
In addition, some individuals develop an addiction as a result of peer pressure. If an individual is at an event with friends, they may be offered a substance that they have not had before, and this can lead to addiction if they are not properly warned about the dangers of a substance in the long-term.
Even outside of these social situations, an individual may begin to seek out this substance, leading to the vicious cycle of addiction, attempting to withdraw, and relapsing.
7 signs of alcohol addiction – what to look out for
It is a challenge to identify an alcohol addiction in another individual, no matter how well they are known to the person identifying the addiction.
This is because addiction affects every individual differently and the number of effects is endless depending on the type of substance they are addicted to, the history of this, and how regularly they consume this substance.
Below are the most common signs of addiction, but this should always be approached with the utmost care and respect in order to preserve relationships and be seen as a caring and trustworthy presence should the individual seek support in the future.
1. Withdrawal symptoms
The most common sign and symptom of an addiction is the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms when the individual goes without consuming the substance that they are addicted to for an extended period of time.
Withdrawal symptoms can vary from minor discomfort to major and life-threatening conditions.
Alcohol, for example, is one of the more dangerous substances to withdraw from as those who withdraw from alcohol after a long period of addiction are likely to experience a form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) which can be managed with medical intervention if needed (1).
2. Drinking to blackout
In the case of alcohol, individuals who are addicted may find it hard to stop drinking once they have started, often leading to serious conditions and states in which they may require serious medical support.
Blackouts are common when any individual engages in ‘binge drinking’ and refers to an individual rendering themselves unconscious when continuously drinking alcohol over a short period of time.
3. Decreased coordination skills
Coordination is a function controlled in the cerebellum and has been shown to be seriously impaired when an individual consumes large quantities of alcohol (2).
As this is a region in the brain, any damage to the cerebellum may be permanent or may take years of rehabilitation in order to overcome the effects of.
Individuals struggling with an alcohol addiction may find that their coordination becomes worse in general and everyday life, not just when they are consuming alcohol, for example.
4. Difficulties in memory
Primarily, alcohol is known for its effects on memory; those who engage in heavy drinking may find that they have little memory of the night before, if any.
When consuming large amounts of alcohol over a short period of time, as well as more generally in the context of addiction, individuals may find that their general memory capabilities are reduced, especially when trying to recall information such as conversations while intoxicated and intercourse, as found in one study (3).
5. In denial about drinking habits
A common sign of addiction (to alcohol and other drugs) is the strong denial of the individual’s condition by the individual themselves.
Denila is a dangerous sign of addiction as it often means that the individual is unwilling to participate in treatment and therapy; they do not believe that they have a problem.
This may be supported through an intervention, but these should always be carried out with the help of a professional therapist or addiction specialist.
6. Lower participation in activities that they may have previously enjoyed
This needs little explanation, but those struggling with any form of addiction may begin to withdraw from social situations, or activities that they may have previously enjoyed.
This can be as a result of the effects of the individual’s addiction, but may also be due, in part, to the denial, embarrassment, and/or shame that they may be experiencing.
7. Drinking despite negative consequences
All of the above factors lead back to the main sign of addiction – continuing addictive behaviours and habits despite the negative effects around them.
Whether these are direct impacts to the individual themselves or the effects around them, an individual who is addicted will often struggle to get out the vicious cycle of addiction, often leading to an exponentially worsening condition without the proper support and advice.
What is rehabilitation and how can it help?
Rehabilitation is the number one recommendation for individuals struggling with addiction. This is where an individual overcomes their addiction through three key stages: detoxification (you can also complete a home alcohol detox too)/withdrawal, rehabilitation/therapy, and aftercare.
To learn more about these stages, individuals should contact their local medical services or find a referral programme near them.
With alcohol especially, it is always recommended that individuals partake in rehabilitation from within a rehab centre (i.e., partaking in full-time care), but this should always be discussed with a medical practitioner before beginning any type of care and/or general support.
Seeking further support for addiction today
Emergency situations should always be dealt with by emergency service staff, but those seeking more long-term rehabilitation options should enquire about the suitable rehabilitation programmes local to them.
Addiction is never too serious or too irrelevant, and individuals are always encouraged to be open and honest about their experiences in order to get the best care possible in their unique case.
Sources:
[1] Bayard, M., Mcintyre, J., Hill, K.R. and Woodside, J., 2004. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome. American family physician, 69(6), pp.1443-1450.
[2] Sullivan, E.V., Rosenbloom, M.J., Deshmukh, A., Desmond, J.E. and Pfefferbaum, A., 1995. Alcohol and the cerebellum: effects on balance, motor coordination, and cognition. Alcohol health and research world, 19(2), p.138.
[3] White, A.M., 2003. What happened? Alcohol, memory blackouts, and the brain. Alcohol Research & Health, 27(2), p.186.
