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The signs and symptoms of addiction can vary based on:
If you’re worried that you or a loved one may have an addiction, the common signs below might help you know.
A person uses more of a substance than they want or plan, over a longer period than intended.
A person struggling with addiction will spend less time on activities that were once important to them like:
Also, because of using alcohol or drugs, a person may struggle with routine daily tasks such as:
A person with a substance use problem is more likely to take serious risks to get their drug. They could also engage in dangerous activities while using, such as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
People struggling with addiction are known to act out against those closest to them.
They might have problems getting along with others, and will place blame on others for the strain in personal relationships.
A person with a substance use disorder will go out of their way to hide how much and how often they use.
They may also hide who they hang out with or what they do when using and could have unexplained injuries or accidents.
There could be serious changes or decline in an addict's appearance or hygiene.
They might:
A family history of addiction can greatly increase a person’s predisposition to substance abuse.
Over time, a person's body will adapt to a substance and they'll need more of the drug to have the same effects.
As the effects of alcohol or drugs wear off, a person may have withdrawal symptoms such as:
A person keeps using a substance even though it's causing problems with their:
If you think you or a loved one might have a substance use problem:
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