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What Are the Behavioral Signs of Addiction?

According to the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 20.4 million people in the United States aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year. This includes 15.8 million people with an alcohol use disorder and 8.4 million with an illicit drug use disorder. Addiction or substance use disorder affects the person’s brain and behavior.

It is a complicated disorder that manifests most times because the addicted person relies on substances and alcohol to cope with their problems. When someone become addicted to substances like drugs and alcohol, someone may continue using them despite the danger it causes. The risk of addiction varies according to the drug.

For example, opioids have a higher risk of addiction than others. Drug addiction may start with practical use in social gatherings and graduate to intense use. As the level of addiction increases, the difficulty in stopping it increases. Ignoring addiction won’t make it suddenly disappear.

Knowing the signs of addiction may help a loved one recover faster and get their life back. Behavioral signs of addiction vary depending on the substance. For instance, heroin and cocaine manifest differently on the person, as so do cannabis and methamphetamine. However, addicts show similar signs when taking any of them. 

How Do Drugs Affect the Brain?

Substances, including drugs taken into the body, can affect the brain’s composition. However, the effect depends on their chemical properties. Some drugs, such as opioids, can increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, leading to feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Alcohol can change the brain’s ability over time, severely decreasing its functionality. 

Other drugs, such as cocaine, can increase neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and dopamine, leading to increased energy and alertness. Some drugs, such as marijuana and psychedelics, can affect the brain. They bind to specific receptors, creating changes in perception and mood.

What Are the Behavioral Signs of Addiction?

Some drugs can also change the structure and function of brain cells, leading to long-term changes in brain function. However, drug misuse can lead to addiction, brain damage, and other adverse side effects. Several indicators show that a person is addicted to a harmful substance.

Behavioral signs of substance abuse include:

  • Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school
  • Using the substance in risky situations
  • Continuing to use the substance despite negative consequences
  • Spending a significant amount of time using the substance or recovering from its effects
  • Having difficulty controlling or reducing the use of the substance
  • Giving up or reducing participation in important social, occupational, or recreational activities
  • Increased risky behaviors
  • Continuing to use the substance despite knowing it is causing problems
  • Withdrawal and craving for the substance
  • Developing a tolerance to the substance, needing more to achieve the desired effect
  • Lying or being secretive about substance use
  • Financial issues due to addiction
  • Engaging in illegal activities to obtain the substance
  • Losing interest in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyed
  • Extreme mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • Blank memory
  • Changes in everyday routines, such as appetite changes and sleeping more often
  • Regular encounters with the police
  • Poor hygiene and grooming
  • Issues at school or work
  • Sudden requests for money with no reasonable explanation. Someone may also discover their money missing or certain items stolen from their home.

Behavioral signs of addiction can vary based on the drug abused, the frequency and if they’re combined with other drugs. For example, someone abusing cannabis may feel lethargic. However, if they combine it with alcohol, they can display different behaviors. Additionally, someone who has taken large amounts of a stimulant may crash more drastically than someone who has taken small amounts.

Get a Loved One Help for Addiction in Los Angeles

Addiction is never a lack of strength or will. It is a chronic condition that gets worse without help. If a loved one displaying any of the signs mentioned above, encourage the person to seek treatment immediately. Persuading someone to get help may be exhausting, and it needs determination not to look the other way. Although recovering from addiction takes time, those with addictions can recover and live a substance-free life.

If someone resides in Los Angeles, the good news is there’s a treatment center that can help with someone’s addiction. Harmony Place is a fully accredited, premier addiction treatment center. We offer addiction treatment to patients struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. In a world-class environment with modern amenities and experienced staff, Harmony Place caters to patients’ needs and ensures they have the best recovery experience.

We uniquely combine treatment with therapies to ensure patients fully recover from addiction and get back to living normally. We are a  five-star alcohol and drug rehab in Los Angeles. Our Los Angeles medical detox facility offers inpatient/residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient, and dual diagnosis. Additionally, we offer addiction treatment like cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, relapse prevention, family planning and more. Prospective patients will be happy to hear we treat a variety of drugs and alcohol to encourage a healthy life. 

Don’t lose your life to addiction. Contact us today to learn about treatment options and available areas we’re in. We are always ready to help.