Articles

The Signs of Addiction

They’re not going away so you must do something about it.

By John Vereecke,
Executive Director, Turning Point

Sleeping all the time, missing work, taking no responsibility, unreliable, lies about everything, moodier than usual, argumentative, saying horrible things, disappearing for days, or even weeks on end, keeps asking for money.
    I am sure there is more, but how many changes in behaviour and mood will it take before something is done? Don't get me wrong, it's not that we don't notice. But what is actually happening here? Why are all of their problems coming back to us? There has to be an end to all of this, right?
    I mean how could someone do and say all of those things, then turn around and think nothing happened. Maybe, if they get another job or move to another place, things might calm down, right? They keep saying they have ‘the problem’ under control, and promise it will never happen again. In fact, they are going to see a drug counselor soon.  
    If I give them what they want, that seems to work. At least there are no more arguments. They told me they haven't used in weeks, let's give them another chance and see what happens. I need to get at least one good night's sleep; I worry so much.

If your loved one’s drug and or alcohol problem has gotten you to this point, please do something about it.

Waiting for the problem to resolve itself will get you nowhere. What you are seeing now, if it isn't already completely out of control, will get completely out of control. The mood swings will get worse, the behavioral changes will spring up more frequently and the responsibility and honesty will diminish altogether.
    I know what you are thinking; if they don't want help there is nothing I can do. They have to hit rock bottom, right?
    Yes and no.
    An individual will not come begging on their hands and knees asking for help - this is very rare. They will however, hit many rock bottoms; this would be called their ruin.
    A ruin is defined as: a complete collapse or destruction, the remains of something destroyed, and is typified by some of these scenarios:

• loss of job,
  
• loss of home,apartment
  
• no steady income
  
• loss of relationships
  
• complete isolation 
  
• troubles with the law, going to jail
  
• health problems
  

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