Dealing with the symptoms of addiction can cause substantial stress, but recognizing these signs may indicate that it’s time to seek treatment. You don’t have to deal with the symptoms of addiction alone – professional help is available at A Better State. Contact our team at 781.412.1488 to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment program and how we can help you achieve lasting recovery.
Signs of Addiction
Addiction is a disease of the mind, but it can also have physical effects. Breaking down the physical and mental signs of addiction is the best way to understand addiction. This can be more beneficial than simply looking at a specific substance alone, such as alcohol addiction symptoms.
Mental Symptoms of Addiction
The psychological signs of addiction can happen to anyone with a substance use disorder, regardless of what their drug of choice happens to be. The mental symptoms of addiction include:
- Cravings or a persistent desire to use substances
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies outside of substance use
- Spending a great deal of time using, seeking, or recovering from substance use
- Multiple unsuccessful attempts to stop using
- Defensiveness when addictive behaviors are called into question
Since addiction affects the brain, it can impair a person’s ability to stop using independently. If this is the case, the time to seek addiction treatment is now.
Physical Symptoms of Addiction
The physical signs of addiction vary between substances, but all are characterized by sudden changes that worsen over time. For example, alcohol addiction symptoms include:
- Trembling, sweating, or seizures when alcohol use is stopped suddenly
- Yellowing skin and eyes (a sign of liver failure)
- Weight changes
- The persistent smell of alcohol from the pores
For instance, these symptoms are vastly different from the physical effects of stimulant addiction. The signs of stimulant addiction include:
- Wounds in the skin from picking
- Severe weight loss
- Chronic insomnia followed by long bouts of sleep
- Dry mouth
- Dilated pupils
Lastly, the symptoms of opioid addiction include:
- Chronic drowsiness or falling asleep while standing or sitting
- Frequent itching
- Contracted pupils
- Weight loss
All substance use disorders include the physical symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance. If somebody stops using a substance suddenly, they can experience intense and uncomfortable symptoms unless medical professionals treat them. Over time, tolerance to substances means that an individual must seek greater and greater quantities of substances to achieve the desired effect.
How Treatment Can Help
If you or a loved one is suffering from the effects of addiction, seeking treatment at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center could stop substance use in its tracks. Addiction treatment is highly effective. It has been researched for decades to improve the effectiveness and comfort of those seeking care.
Addiction treatment centers are typically staffed with a diverse group of mental and physical health professionals who seek to treat all of the effects of addiction.
Individual or group therapy can help people learn about the root cause of their addiction and inspire hope for the future. Medication-assisted treatment can help to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent excessive cravings, and treat co-occurring mental illnesses. Recreational and holistic therapies can bring joy and inspiration to what may otherwise be a dark period in a substance user’s life.
Break Free From Addiction at A Better State
When you’re ready to give yourself the opportunity you need to overcome addiction, contact the professionals at A Better State by calling 781.412.1488. Our experienced addiction experts can help you break free from your addiction and start a new life in recovery.
Addiction doesn’t have to be the end of your story – start a new beginning today at A Better State.
