How to Spot the Signs of Addiction

Many people think that if their loved one was struggling with addiction, they would know right away. Many people don’t even think about what addiction looks like until they have been personally and deeply affected by it. However, addiction is a complex and sometimes sneaky disease that isn’t always easy to identify in the early stages. That being said, identifying addiction early on is critical, because the sooner a person gets treatment, the better.

Addiction itself isn’t a medical condition. Instead, medical experts use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) to diagnose drug problems. This diagnosis is formally known as a substance use disorder (SUD).

Identifying Addiction Using the Criteria for Substance Use Disorder

The DSM-V outlines 11 criteria that are used to diagnose people with SUD. Although you should never use these to make a formal diagnosis as that should be left to the professionals, the criteria are fairly simple to understand and give a great picture of what addiction looks like. The criteria outlined in the DSM-V are as follows.

1. Taking drugs in larger amounts or for longer amounts of time than originally intended
2. Wanting to cut back on how much drugs are used but being unable to do so
3. Spending excessive amounts of time getting, using, or recovering from drugs or drug use
4. Having strong cravings and desires to use the substance
5. Failing to complete obligations at work, school, or home due to drug use
6. Continuing to use drugs even when it causes problems in relationships or social life
7. Abandoning important work, social, or recreational activities due to drug use
8. Using substances despite imminent danger or risky behaviors
9. Continuing to use drugs even when doing so is worsening a physical or mental health condition or causing a mental health crisis.
10. Developing a tolerance where increasing amounts of the drug is needed to produce a high
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not having access to the drug

If a person experiences 2 or more of these symptoms within one year, they may have a substance use disorder. The more symptoms a person experiences, the more likely it is that they are suffering from drug addiction.

Understanding the Character Traits of People Struggling With Addiction

In addition to the criteria listed above, people struggling with addiction often share similar character traits that are easy to identify. It’s important to note that these character traits don’t mean the person is bad or immoral, it just means that their addiction has taken precedence over their more positive personality traits.

First, manipulation is a common tactic used by people with addiction. When confronted with the issue of their substance abuse, this person may use manipulation to get what they want. For example, if a family member addresses the addict about their drug use, the addict may respond by saying they can stop whenever they want or that they feel personally attacked that the other person would ever ask such a thing. These tactics are used to try and make the other person feel bad about the things they have said so that the addict can continue using drugs in peace.

Another common character trait of people with addiction is telling lies or being deceitful. These lies may range from small ones, such as where the person went the night before, to large ones involving finances or personal belongings. They may lie about where their money goes, what they do each day, and more. Addicts and alcoholics may come up with elaborate and extravagant stories explaining why they need money or assistance when drugs are their top priority.

Most of the time, people struggling with addiction don’t manipulate or lie to their loved ones with the intention of hurting them. Instead, they do so because their addiction is so powerful that it drives them to any lengths necessary to maintain their habit.

Spotting Behaviors and Other Signs Associated With Addiction

Everyone who battles addiction will exhibit different signs and symptoms. It’s important to be able to recognize the different behaviors and additional signs that indicate addiction. These include:

• Calling into work often as a result of drug use
• Having drug paraphernalia in the home
• Struggling with financial difficulties
• Having extreme mood swings
• Appearing under the influence of drugs on a regular basis
• Visiting multiple doctors to obtain illegitimate prescriptions, also known as doctor shopping
• Changes in appearance such as rapid weight loss
• Isolating from friends and family
• Increased feelings of depression and anxiety
• Being unable to socialize or function normally without drugs or alcohol
• Getting into trouble with the law
• Risky behaviors such as drunk driving or unprotected sex

If you suspect that a loved one is struggling with addiction, it’s important to speak up. Oftentimes, people are terrified to ask for help and they are scared to get sober, but you can be the support a person needs to start seeking help. If your loved one isn’t open to discussing their substance abuse, you may consider staging an intervention. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to do what you can to confront and help your loved one before their addiction progresses further.