6 Signs That the Time Has Come to Seek Treatment for Drugs or Alcohol Abuse

The likelihood of becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol varies from person to person. Addiction is a disease that affects your brain and causes you to lose control of your life. Little Creek Recovery, an all-male facility, is an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center that focuses on a holistic treatment approach. We believe that recovery lies within the ability to strengthen a person’s self-esteem and self-value. In order to become sober, you or your loved one needs to want to make better choices and create a better life for yourself. If this is what you want, learn how to beat alcoholism once and for all. 

How many times have you heard someone say, “Man, I could use a drink” after a tough day at the office? How often have you been at a party where you’ve seen some people disappear into a room, only to see them come back with heavy lids and the smell of marijuana on their clothes? Recreational drug and alcohol use is part of our society. For many people, it remains just that – recreational. For others, the use of drugs or alcohol becomes an addiction that requires professional intervention.

In 2015, data that was based on the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimated about 27.1 million Americans will use an illegal drug in the period of a month. That same survey revealed that 86.4% of people, ages 18 and older report having tried alcohol, and 56% say they had a drink in the last month.

Does this mean that every one of these people has a drug or alcohol abuse problem? There is a good chance that they don’t. A recent study, however, estimates that 1 in 8 people do have some type of alcohol use disorder. Also, a Pew survey conducted in 2017 found that 46% “of US adults have a close friend or family member who’s been addicted to drugs.”

But how do you know if you are one of eight? How do you know if you are abusing drugs? And how do you know if you need treatment for an addiction, or need help to find out how to beat alcoholism? Every type of alcoholic and every drug user has different experiences when it comes to their addictions. Even so, there are some signs that are commonly shared.

The following is a list of 6 signs that could indicate that it is time to seek professional help for your or your loved one’s addiction:

1. Someone Has Noticed the Problem and Has Spoken to You About It.

The concern for your drug or alcohol use may come from a parent, your romantic partner, your group of friends, or your boss. If those around you are starting to mention your drinking or drug use more frequently. If they are starting to say things like “I think you’re drinking/using too much,” it might be time to evaluate how often you get drunk or high and reach out for help.

2. Your Drug or Alcohol use is Affecting Your Job.

It becomes apparent that you or a loved one have a problem when there are repeated days where you don’t show up at work. The cause could be because you are too hungover or too wired and unable to perform your job. You may also find that you are going to work, but are high or drunk on the job. 

Losing your job will lead to a loss in income. A loss in income may mean that you could lose your home. The trickle-down effect can have many damaging repercussions on your life. These are all signs of drug or alcohol abuse and reasons to focus on finding a cure for your alcoholism or addiction to drugs.

3. Your Health is Deteriorating as a Result of Your Drug or Alcohol Use. 

The body is a resilient machine, but excessive drug or alcohol use can do a lot of damage. It is time for you or your loved one to seek help if you see or feel a decline in your overall health. Specifically, these organs feel the brunt of excessive drug and alcohol use:

• Liver
• Kidney
• Heart

For those addicted to drugs, problems can also develop from sharing needles. HIV and other infectious diseases are common. Those who are addicted to meth can develop mouth sores and tooth decay – known as “meth mouth”. Nausea or vomiting is also common among both alcoholics and drug users.

Drug and alcohol abuse also affects your mental state in many ways. Examples include:

• Increase in anxiety
• Paranoia is evident
• Decrease in mental focus
• Problems with memory
• Hallucinations may take place
• Inability to sleep
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts

All of these health issues are warning signs and indicators that it is time to seek help from professionals.

4. It’s Easier Just to Hide the Bottles than Deal with Your Loved Ones. 

Hiding any problem is a clear sign that there is a problem. If you or your loved one lie about your drinking or hide your “stash” so your friends and family won’t know you’re using, it is time to think about treatment. Denial is a common sign that the use of drugs or alcohol is no longer “recreational” and has become a serious problem. Thus, it’s time to learn how to beat alcoholism and drug use.

5. You’re Hurting Others, or Putting Them at Risk. 

When you no longer care about how your actions affect others, it becomes clear that the need to use drugs or alcohol is stronger than your need to maintain those relationships. 

Here are some signs that you could be abusing drugs or alcohol: :

• Driving while drunk or high
• Becoming violent at the slightest (or imagined) provocation
• Lashing out at friends or family
• Replacing your friends with other peers who heavily use drugs or alcohol
• Avoiding contact with loved ones

6. Quitting on Your Own Hasn’t Worked

Let’s say you have tried to stop using drugs or drinking on your own, but you can’t. When you try to stop, you experience withdrawal symptoms or the urge to use is too strong. It is possible that you – like so many others – cannot kick the habit on your own. It is then time to seek help from professionals who can guide you through the process.

The above is, by no means, a comprehensive list; every person is different. It is time to take action if you feel like you are losing control over yourself due to alcohol though. If you feel as though your world is starting to revolve around the next opportunity to get high again or have another drink, then it is time to seek options for treatment.

How Little Creek Recovery Can Help

If you are searching for answers on how to beat alcoholism and drugs, or how to take control of your or your loved ones’ drug addiction, Little Creek Recovery has the answer. We offer alcohol and drug recovery programs designed to help you be able to make strong, healthy choices regarding your life. We are a family-owned and operated alcohol and drug treatment center located in Northeast Pennsylvania. 

Although we specialize in treating men and thus only offer inpatient treatment for men, our outpatient treatment programs are co-ed. Thus, men and women can enjoy them and learn how to beat alcoholism here at Little Creek. 

If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us, or fill out our contact form to learn more about our services. We are focused on empowering you or your loved one to make the life-changing choice to become sober. We believe that empowerment is key to your success.