The Early Signs of Addiction: What to Look For

Addiction is a mental health issue impacting both the person struggling with it and their environment. Those struggling with substance abuse disorder often do not recognize the issue, believing they can stop whenever they want. This is why it´s often crucial for their social circle to learn about early signs of addiction and encourage them to seek professional help. 

Although challenging and burdensome, addiction is a state that can be successfully addressed and managed, and Tranquility Recovery Center can help you with that. Keep reading to learn about the different types of signs of addiction and how you can support a loved one struggling with them. We will provide you with input on when to seek help and what to expect from the process.

Understanding Addiction and Its Early Stages

Simply put, addiction is a complex condition characterized by uncontrolled use of a substance despite its harmful effects. People struggling with addiction to alcohol, tobacco, or psychoactive substances are so focused on the substance that their ability to function daily becomes impaired. People addicted to alcohol and drugs keep using them despite knowing they’re causing problems.

Whether legal or illicit, substances leading to dependence and addiction have a serious impact on our bodies. Addiction primarily affects the brain, causing damage. Their short-term effect is usually related to brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, affecting people’s moods and behaviors. In the long term, these substances can cause irreparable damage, manifesting themselves with impaired functioning, powered cognition, and inadequate emotional responses.

The long-term effects substances have, as well as many negative consequences related to chronic use, point out the importance of recognizing the early signs of addiction. The sooner the problem is noticed, the more likely it will be successfully addressed. Early recognition is often essential for effective intervention.

The Four C’s of Addiction

One of the practical ways of recognizing symptoms of addiction early on is by relying on the concept of the four Cs:

• Compulsion. Compulsive behavior means a person has an overpowering urge to give in to their cravings. Using becomes a compulsive habit. Not giving in to the urge means anxiety will occur, affecting your behavior.
• Craving. The urge to use substances is often described as craving, demanding as hunger pain, and mimicking physical needs. It feels necessary for survival. It can manifest itself as restlessness, insomnia, or lack of appetite.
• Control. The control aspect of addiction is related to the conviction that one can control the substance use and stop at any time. However, it is impossible to control cravings and behavior once addiction is fully developed.
• Consequences. Even when the negative consequences of substance use are evident, a person keeps using the substance, allowing it to create relationships, work, legal, and money problems. 

Noticing any of these signs of addiction is a clear message that you should seek professional help for yourself or a struggling loved one. Programs like inpatient detox San Fernando Valley provide a structured and supportive environment, offering essential care for individuals ready to begin their recovery journey.

Stages of Addiction 

Addiction does not simply happen overnight. There are several stages one goes through until the addiction is fully developed. Recognizing addiction signs before the final stage can potentially speed up the process of recovery and ease the management of the condition. Here are typical stages that one goes through in developing substance addiction:

• Initial or experimental use. No one starts using substances with the idea of becoming an addict. Typically, many will try alcohol or illicit substances out of curiosity or peer pressure. For some, this is where substance use ends up, and enjoying so-called recreational use does not necessarily lead to addiction. However, each addiction starts with this experimental face.
• Risky use. The next stage is regular use. The person continues using substances, although they recognize negative physical, mental, legal, or social consequences. They, however, enjoy the effect of substances too much to give up on using them regularly. At this stage, a person might start showing underperformance at work or school or experience issues in personal relationships.
• Tolerance development and dependence. Due to regular use, people start developing tolerance to substances, meaning they either need more substances to have the same effect or they have to take them more frequently. The development of tolerance soon leads to dependence when one feels physical, mental, and emotional dependence on the substance.
• Addiction. The final stage of addiction development is substance use disorder development. Substance misuse is a compulsion rather than a conscious choice at this stage. You might feel it’s impossible to deal with the world without substance. Addiction has many symptoms, and for it to be officially diagnosed, you should be showing at least two to three of these symptoms, which is then considered a mild substance use disorder. If you have developed an addiction, professional help to overcome it is essential.

Behavioral Changes That Indicate the Early Signs of Addiction

People who develop addiction to substances are likely to start behaving differently. Here are a few typical changes you might see in someone struggling with addiction:

• Increase secrecy or isolation. Addicts are likely to withdraw from friends and family and start acting in a secretive way. They might hide from you where they’re going or what their plans are. They might lie about what they have done or how frequently they are using substances.
• Shifts in motivation and routine. Other than detaching from people, addicts might start detaching from their previously enjoyable activities. For instance, they might neglect hobbies, goals, or responsibilities. If they had any healthy habits before developing an addiction, like sports or regular physical activities, they might stop doing them altogether.
• Risky behavior. Addicts tend to show an increase in involvement in risky situations. This can happen either because they’re under the influence of the substance or because of the need to acquire the substance. Addicts are more likely to be involved in criminal activities as well.

Physical and Emotional Symptoms to Watch For

As previously mentioned, substances impact our brain chemistry and, with time, physiology as well. Consequentially, an addict will experience many physical and emotional changes.

• Physical changes. Someone who has developed an addiction will have a sudden change in their appearance. Typically, they lose a lot of weight but can also gain it. Quite often, they neglect personal hygiene. In some cases, they might have specific physical changes related to concrete illicit substances. For example, a common sign of meth abuse is extreme tooth decay, known as meth mouth.
• Emotional changes. The chemical impact of illicit substances or alcohol is such that it creates emotional instability; it can manifest itself as heightened irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depressive behaviors. All these can also be signs of mental health issues, so if you notice any of these emotional signs of addiction, it’s recommendable to speak to a professional for a thorough evaluation and diagnostics. At the beginning of addiction, people struggling with it might experience specific feelings like constant cravings, unease without the substance, or a crippling need for a release.

Social and Financial Warning Signs of Early Addiction

Finally, addicts will experience many problems and issues related to social interactions and finances. Addiction is a costly problem that, unfortunately, can lead to legal issues related to acquiring drugs or alcohol. Here are some typical difficulties addicts are experiencing:

• Relationship issues. Due to addiction and all its negative consequences, addicts are likely to experience many conflicts with their family, friends, or coworkers. Their emotional and social relationships are likely to suffer. They might even choose to isolate themselves from their loved ones to avoid conflicts or hurt them somehow.
• Financial difficulties. Addiction tends to lead you to overspending. As substance use is a costly activity, the addict is likely to start borrowing money or, even worse, acquire it in illegal ways. Addiction is known to impose financial strain on both the addict and their family.
• Legal problems. Under the influence of substances, addicts might experience issues like traffic violations, DUI, or legal running. In the majority of states, many of the substances to which one can become addicted are still illegal, so acquiring them requires engaging in criminal activities. It is also a frequent occurrence to get involved with criminal activities to acquire the money necessary for one’s substance of choice, even when it’s legal.

How Tranquility Recovery Center Can Support the Path to Recovery

We can’t stress enough how important it is to recognize early signs of addiction. Early recognition means early intervention, and this can change the outcome for someone struggling with substance abuse. As already mentioned, addiction goes through various stages, and it might be both physically and mentally easier to address it in earlier stages of development.

Regardless of when you spot the signs of addiction and when you start treatment, you or your loved one can highly benefit from an individualized care plan, one that addresses specifically your needs and circumstances. With compassionate support and professional expertise, you will likely understand the causes and factors leading to the problem you’ve developed. You would acquire skills, tools, and resources to address them properly. Additionally, you will gain the cognitive insights, healthy coping mechanisms, and empowerment required to overcome any life challenge.

When seeking professional addiction treatment, you should find a reliable partner to guide you through the entire process. Tranquility Recovery Center offers evidence-based treatments, caring staff, and a supportive community to help you overcome your struggles and live a fulfilling life. Our holistic approach, intense treatments, and genuine care make our program leading residential treatment Los Angeles offers. 

Recognizing Addiction: When to Seek Help

Recognizing any of the signs of addiction should be treated as an alarm and make you seek out professional help. Understandably, the stigma of seeking addiction treatment might act as a barrier in the process of finding professional support. However, we urge you to prioritize your well-being and turn to external support networks, whether your friends, family, or professional facilities.

As a family member or a friend, you might be unsure how to approach this problem and motivate your loved one to seek guidance and support in professional circles. Conversations surrounding addiction might be difficult, but approaching them without judgment is the first step toward a positive outcome. Assertive listening, emotional support, and, at times, offering instrumental support (such as suggestions on where to seek help) are some of the behaviors you can display to encourage a loved one to seek help for their addiction problem.

Seek Help When You Notice the Signs of Addiction

Struggling with addiction is challenging and exhausting. However, recognizing the early signs of addiction can make the recovery journey easier. Turning to professionals is essential for a safe and comfortable treatment to help you manage your condition, gain healthy coping mechanisms and skills, and thrive in life.

With personalized professional programs, you can count on treatment specifically addressing your needs and circumstances. Efficient addiction treatment requires expertise, genuine compassion, and care, and we at Tranquility Recovery Center can provide that.

Do not ignore signs of addiction; you recognize yourself or your loved ones. Contact us for personalized guidance and support. We will help you face this life crisis and live the best quality of life.