Recognizing the Signs of Addiction: Would You Recognize Addiction in Someone You Love?

Would you be able to recognize the signs of addiction in a family member or friend? 

It is not always easy. Many signs of addiction go unrecognized because others do not know what to watch for in terms of addiction to alcohol or other addictive substances. These may go also unnoticed because others are actively engaged in their own work or personal lives. Everyone has a personal life that often goes its own direction with or without paying attention to others.  

What should one watch for with respect to recognizing the signs of addiction?

The article, “Symptoms of addiction” suggests that the signs of addiction can appear as “clusters”. There may be more than one sign evident to an observant eye that can see or a discerning ear that can hear.

Consider the following signs of addiction:

Unusual, habitual behavior patterns:

Unusual, habitual behavior patterns indicate the possibility of addiction. 

For example, a young married man becomes overly aggressive and abusive, usually on Wednesday evenings, when he comes home from work. He invariably picks a fight with his wife and argues with her throughout the evening. On Thursday evenings, he seldom, if ever comes home because he supposedly goes out with the boys after work. He tells the boys that he stays away because he does not want to fight at home. Friday evenings, when he arrives home, it is usually quite late. He is always exhausted and sleeps in front of the television most of the weekend. Note that with this particular young man, the rest of the week does not seem problematic.

What are the signs of addiction in this scenario?

The timing and regularity of the repeated aggressive and abusive behavior of this young man follows a distinctive pattern. The young man needs to fight and argue with his wife at the middle of the week, suggesting his real need is for alcohol. His blood alcohol level would probably be at its lowest point. Having a fight with his wife gives him a reason to disappear overnight on a weekly basis. Coming home exhausted after his overnight absence and sleeping continually, when he is at home, suggests a developing addiction behavior pattern. It also suggests a large consumption of alcohol, perhaps combined with other substance abuse.

Attention getting addiction:

There can be multiple signs of attention seeking addiction that others do not recognize or choose to interpret in a way that is socially and morally acceptable to them. For example, parents may see addiction behavior patterns as being entertaining or comedic in nature, when it comes to their teenagers.

For example, “Our son cannot talk right or walk properly. He is just like his grandfather when he is drunk. That is so funny!”

At the same time, the teenager has just received positive reinforcement by getting the immediate attention he craves from his parents, which feeds his addiction behavior and encourages it further.   

What are the signs of addiction indicated here?

Note the comments about the way he talks and walks. While his parents know he is drunk, they do not regard him as heading into an addiction problem or see it as an attention getting, addiction device. It is more like a source of entertainment for them and since it makes them laugh, the addiction continues to grow. It may be a generational behavioral pattern repeating itself.

Addiction behavior as a cry for help: 

Addiction behavior is one way that teenagers and others cry out for help, though it may be a silent, unheard cry. With growing addiction problems, cries for help may go unheeded particularly when teens do not seem credible. Parents and others may choose to ignore cries for help, which can make teenagers increasingly aggressive in terms of addiction. In other words, “They did not hear my cry for help. Maybe I should cry louder?”

For example, a teenage girl is lonely, depressed and begins drinking wine in excess. Her parents turn a blind eye to her increasing signs of addiction, unaware of the seriousness of what she is doing to herself. Several of her friends are drinking wine in excess with her. Their parents hope the immature, teenage drinking pattern will be outgrown and that their behavior will change with maturity.

The addiction skyrocketing out of control, the teenage girl and other teenagers begin drinking publicly, as well as openly in front of their parents and others. The parents still do not hear her cry for help, but regard it as a typical behavior for a teenage girl and her friends.    

What are the signs of addiction demonstrated here?

The signs of addiction include drinking alone, as well as drinking in excess. 

Depression can be another sign. 

Drinking alcohol in excess will increase the teenager’s depression, particularly during withdrawal. As her addiction grows, she seeks the companionship of others engaged in the same behavior. This gives her feelings of security from peer acceptance, though it is false security which could backfire. Becoming increasingly aggressive in terms of public drinking, as well as drinking openly in front of parents and others, may be indicative of an increasing need for alcohol. Drinking at home may be a demand for attention that is not always regarded as problematic, until it involves lewd and unruly behavior, which happens over time. Note that this is different from responsible drinking with parents at home.

Signs of addiction hide under many different masks. It takes a discerning eye, a listening ear, an understanding heart and a compassionate, caring parent or others, to recognize addiction and bring about effective resolution. 

One might suggest that the first step to recovery is recognition of the signs of addiction.