It can be hard to spot addiction in yourself or others and there’s a difference between use, abuse and addiction.
It’s estimated that 308,000 people in Kent alone regularly drink above NHS recommended levels with 15% of the population fitting the profile of binge drinkers. The effects of such drinking includes heart disease, strokes, cancer and liver disease. These obviously put a major strain on the NHS, not to mention the impact on the relationships and finances of the addicted individual.
Below are some signs of addiction. If you recognise any of these in yourself or others, it may be time to seek help:
- Heavy use. If alcohol or drugs become a daily habit, you may have a problem.
- Inability to stop abusing substances. If you can’t or won’t cut down on your use, that’s another bad sign.
- Social isolation. Avoiding other people to take drugs or drink is a sign of addiction.
- Hiding levels of consumption. Lying to your loved ones about your substance abuse is another bad sign.
- Financial hardship. If your usage is causing financial problems, you could have an addiction.
These are not the only symptoms of drug and alcohol addiction. Poor hygiene, bad mental health, disturbed sleep patterns, and irritability are also red flags.
Shame can prevent people from seeking help and this becomes an endless cycle of abuse to escape the shame of the abuse. But there’s no “one-size fits all” when it comes to the profile of an addict. This is a problem that has no boundaries.
There are both publicly-funded and private rehabilitation options available in the counties.
Offering a 24 hour helpline and a free addiction assessment at your nearest clinic, you can take the first step for yourself or anyone you’re concerned about here: www.rehab4addiction.co.uk
