The Inconspicuous Existence of Addiction: Pointing Out Irregularities

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When addiction is so pronounced that the only thing preventing you from getting treatment is your admission that you have fallen through the cracks, is there still a way to get things back to normal?

 

Breaking The Addiction Stereotype

Almost all mental illnesses have a particular stereotype that’s attributed to them, and usually, these impressions are erroneous and are frequently overgeneralized. For example, people who are referred to as “addicts” would instantly be pictured as those who have rebelled from being fired from work or those who’ve had their hearts broken by people they love, or anything connected to a significant life change.

 

Due to the stigma that’s always connected to addiction, people are ashamed or uncomfortable to talk about the condition. The moment addiction is not addressed adequately due to denial, it is complicated to detect and will only be noticed if one of the many stereotypes are seen in a struggling individual.

 

On the other hand, even if work issues are often considered as the primary factors for becoming substance or alcohol dependents, a lot of addicts are surprisingly high-functioning and their performances are apparently unaffected. Therefore, it is crucial that people are more adamant in knowing the other reasons why addiction occurs.

 

Pinpointing Irregularities

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Only medical professionals are capable of correctly diagnosing addiction disorders. However, there are a couple of inconspicuous red flags that you can quickly catch to identify the existence of addiction in your system if you have not realized it yet. If the following manifestations hit you personally, scheduling an appointment with your doctor to have an open and honest dialogue about your obsession must be done.

 

So, what are the irregularities that you have to watch out for?

 

  1. You’re Always Feeling Under The Weather

Any kind of substance that’s abused, whether it’s painkillers, alcohol, or any other chemicals, can weaken and cripple the immune system which significantly affects the body’s response to illnesses. If you’ve been experiencing episodes of the flu lately or have been very sickly for the past couple of months, it’s a sign that you’re palpably compromised. Even if you don’t feel ill, your stamina is always low, and your enthusiasm is absent. You will feel exhausted and will struggle with chronic pain like stomach aches or headaches. These are physical manifestations demonstrating the consequences of your substance or chemical abuse.

 

  1. Concerned Remarks Are Frequently Heard from Loved Ones

Though your loved ones like your family and friends may not have medical licenses and are probably not experts in the medical field, they primarily know you since time immemorial. The moment they express concerns about your vices, there must be something really wrong. These people know you better than doctors and your workmates for you to ignore their deductions and observations concerning your attitude or behavior.

 

Just think about this: though it must be hard for these people to confront you, they will do it even at the risk of arguing with you because they are genuinely and deeply worried about your well-being. Listening to them can be an eye-opener.

 

  1. Absence Of The Substance Makes You Feel Fidgety

So you’re at a party, and the first thing that you do when you arrive is to ask the bartender if they have this particular drink that you’ve been craving for since you left the house. To your dismay, it’s not available for some reason. Upon immediate realization, you started to feel very fidgety that you would think about other ways to secure just one glass of that drink. Anxiety due to the knowledge of not being able to take a sip of your drink is a classic sign of addiction.

This kind of reaction can be very telling that it is apparent at home when it’s midnight and you don’t have any refills and the stores have closed up. Panicking due to the absence of your preferred drink is another red flag that tells you how dependent you are.

 

  1. You Go Behind Your Loved Ones’ Backs

When we begin to hide something from our loved ones, then we know we are in deep trouble. If at one point you had to become secretive about your drug, alcohol, or gambling habits, then it’s a sign implying that you have moved past the recreational stage of your obsession. Your loved ones would be judgmental if they find something’s up, and they can be very suspicious as well. But the moment you exert a lot of effort just to keep your bad habits far away from prying eyes, then you are slowly becoming an addict.

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Keep in mind that addiction is just like any physical or mental illness that needs proper attention. There’s no need to be embarrassed if you feel like you’re drowning in the dark pit of addiction. Admission of one’s attachment to illegal substances, alcohol, and other addictive behaviors is a huge step to getting treated.