Many people find it difficult to admit that they have a substance addiction or abuse problem. You do not have to be physically addicted to a substance to realize that you need rehab. But, when substance abuse is having a negative influence in your life, then it might be time to consider whether it has become an addiction. The steps to follow on your path to recovery may be much easier once you make this realization. Signs that you need to go to rehab include:
When Using Takes Precedence Over Everything Else
When your substance of choice becomes a vital focus of your life, then you should consider it an addiction. This means that you are thinking about the substance on a regular basis, for a large part of your day. Your efforts, time and resources are becoming more and more invested in acquiring and using the drug.
As you further indulge in drug usage despite potential mounting consequences, you may begin to lose interest in participating in activities that used to be a significant part of your life. This could include interests such as spending time with friends and family or engaging in sports.
When You Can No Longer Ignore Your Declining Health
Research has shown that substance abuse causes many health problems. For example, long-term addiction to alcohol is linked to liver problems such cirrhosis and some types of cancer. The severity of the physical health issues that arise depends on factors such as the type of drug used, the quantity taken, and the duration of the substance abuse. These can vary from mild to fatal.
The effects of substance abuse have an impact on your mind as well as your body. Most of the drugs abused change your mental state as a user in one way or another. Some symptoms of this might be escalating levels of agitation, anxiety, depression, and certain aspects of psychosis.
If these physical or mental changes start being noticeable to you or the people that care about you, then it might be time to consider enrolling in rehab for professional help.
When You Don’t Use, You Experience Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms include paranoia, headaches, insomnia, irritability, nausea, and more. If you begin to experience these symptoms whenever you try to stop taking your drug of choice, this may be a sign that you are becoming dependent on the drug and need to go to rehab. A detoxification program will be of great help to ease the feelings of withdrawal. Medically-assisted detoxification may be necessary if your experience with the effects of withdrawal become severe.
When Addiction Hijacks Your Mind, Brain
Over time, substance abuse and addiction will interfere with your ability to perform day-to day activities such as keeping up at work, school or in relationships with family and friends. Because of your altered state of mind, the choices that you make while under the influence aren’t always logical, and sometimes are not even legal. This may lead to you being arrested while under the influence or in possession of illegal or controlled substances. This is a sure sign that it is time to go to rehab (while it is still your choice).
There is a high correlation between substance abuse and underlying mental disorders that is often undiagnosed. Drugs can increase or cause depression, in addition to other mental health conditions. The occurrence or escalation of suicide ideation, self-harm or harming other people – as a result of being under the influence – should be yet another cue to seek rehabilitation treatment and care for addiction and other co-occurring disorders.
The long-term cost of addiction is much higher than the short-term cost of rehab. Talk about your struggles with your loved ones to determine how to get help and consult professionals to find the best treatments for your individual needs. If you’re not sure if it’s time to go to rehab, it’s most likely time to ask for some sort of help.
