Addiction doesn't start for everyone the same way nor does it discriminate against any population. Every age group, race, and class experience addiction. Some start with the experimental use of a drug in social situations while others have surgery, and are in immense pain they cannot control. And for some people, addiction began as a coping mechanism to numb emotions they no longer wanted to feel. When addiction takes hold of a person, their use becomes more frequent. As time passes, they need to use more to simply feel “normal.”
Drug addiction symptoms and behaviors include, among others:
- Feeling the need to use the drug regularly, which can be daily or multiple times a day
- Having intense urges for the drug
- Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
- Being certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
- Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities
- Doing things you wouldn’t normally do to get the drug, such as stealing
- Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug
- Failed attempts to quit using the drug
If you can relate to any of the above symptoms or behaviors, it may be time to consider addiction counseling.
As an addiction counselor, I will address the symptoms of your addiction and the related areas of impaired functioning, and together we’ll structure the time and content of your ongoing recovery.
I believe in you! Successful recovery is possible. It's about progress, not perfection.