What Are the Behavioral Signs of Addiction?

April 14, 2023

Harmony Place Team

Behavioral Signs of Substance Use Disorder

Addiction often leaves visible traces, particularly in behavior, that can serve as critical signals for identifying a substance use disorder. Behavioral signs of addiction, such as neglecting responsibilities, mood swings, or significant lifestyle changes, often emerge before more serious consequences unfold. Recognizing these addiction behavior warning signs early, including behavioral patterns in addiction like secrecy, financial misuse, or risky actions, plays a vital role in guiding someone toward help. Drug misuse doesn’t just affect the individual; it impacts their relationships, responsibilities, and overall quality of life, making prompt intervention essential.

Behavioral symptoms of substance abuse may vary, but common indicators include drastic psychological changes, reduced interest in hobbies, and persistent cravings. These observable behaviors in addiction act as red flags that signal deeper struggles, pointing to the urgent need for support and treatment. Understanding these patterns is a first step in detecting addiction through behavior and responding with compassion and clarity. Harmony Place offers supportive, evidence-based solutions designed to tackle both the emotional and physical aspects of addiction, helping individuals and their families reclaim control and build toward recovery.

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.

Exact 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.

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Chris P

I've been to 12 rehabs over the last 20 years and NO other place has touch like Harmony Place! From the owner right down to the cleaning lady, everyone here is kinda and warm. God has blessed this place and I feel privileged to have come through here. I recommend anyone who is going through their struggle with mental health or substance abuse to pick up the phone and come! You won't regret it!

Joseph S

This place is incredible, kind, loving, patient, rigorous, educative, caring and the best place for recovery. Ill be part of the alumni crew

Monica G

I had very good experience at Harmony Place From first day I came, staff was very kind and make me feel welcome and safe. Everyone was friendly and always try to help me. The therapists are very good and caring. They listen to me and help me understand my problems better. I learn many things from them and feel stronger because of their support. The nurses also very nice and professional. They always check on me and make sure I am okay. Food was good and facilities were clean and comfortable. It help me feel more relaxed and focus on my recovery. Management also doing very good job. Everything was organized and you can see they really care about patients. I am very thankful for this place and all the people who work here. I recommend this center to anyone who needs help.

Denton

Awesome place great people u want to check this place out most definitely 😜

Tyler

A treatment center where the owners truly care about your recovery and after care.. cannot recommend enough

Jodana S

If you want to detox painlessly this is the place! The staff is A1. They truly care about us. The groups are awesome . Residential is crazy awesome! You live in a mansion. With a private chef who makes the best food. Community meeting that gets results fast, they care about your opinions. Pool and Jacuzzi are beautiful. If your struggling with addiction this is the house you should come to. I LOVE HARMONY PLACE!!!!! Thank you to all the staff they go above and beyond to make this experience comfortable therapeutic. Don't spend another day in your addiction come to Harmony Place right now!

Cass

I’ve been to 4 treatment centers before Harmony Place, and I can tell you without a single doubt that this is the absolute best by FAR. The past ones were luxury Residential Treatment centers that just treated every single client the same not tailoring to each individual, and were basically just in it for the money, dropping the ball each time. I can also tell you that I’ve never met the CEOs, but here, David comes to the facility almost every single day, and makes sure he get to know every individual here. He is incredibly kind, and was even willing to transfer me to another facility with a higher level of trauma therapy due to me having a lifetime of trauma and PTSD that just is going to take a long time to tackle. He truly cares about all of the clients having all of the tools that we need before getting released to the real world. No more of other CEO would ever be willing to miss an opportunity at making more money and even paired with my IMPECCABLE case manager to find a different facility that was more trauma based. My case manager, Sam, goes absolutely above and beyond in every single aspect. She makes sure you have a smooth transition into aftercare, provides out of this world advice when it comes to sobriety, and takes the time out of her day to make sure that FMLA and short-term disability are completely taken care of during your stay. I’ve never met a case manager that could ever compare to Sam. Ever. I feel lucky to have met her, genuinely. Marissa, my therapist, is SO SWEET, actually listens to you, and provides advice and therapy tailored to each individual’s experience. She’s handled every mood I’ve been in, never judged me, and allowed me to feel safe enough to tell her things I’ve never told any person or therapist in my 29 years of life. I’ve been going to therapy for the past 15 years, and none of those therapists even come close to how amazing she is. I’ve been to 4 other treatment centers in my life and none even come close to Harmony Place. The facility is clean, organized, and high-end. I would recommend Harmony place to my family, friends, and anyone seeking treatment. I feel SO BLESSED to have landed in their hands. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE IN THE CLINICAL STAFF BEYOND WORDS. I love you guys ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️. I feel more confident than ever in my Recovery.

Gabe H

Where to begin.. Harmony is a place that will forever be a part of my story as the first step in my recovery journey. I’m so grateful for this program. The staff is very friendly, and many of them understand what addiction is like, for they themselves have recovery stories of their own. They have an awesome team of therapists, group facilitators, nurses, RA technicians, medical and health professionals, a wonderful case manager for aftercare that cares deeply for your next steps; making sure you are set up for success. They have a wonderful admissions team (shoutout to Marielle who was so kind and understanding of my messed up situation). Everyone is very relatable and friendly. They invest heavily in the importance of diet and nutrition too - there’s a full time professional chef. I gained all the weight I lost and wanted back in the first two weeks lol. On top of the intensive programming they do throughout the day, they take us out to experience various kinds of outside groups to get a taste of the real world, and also take us on social outings during the weekend. If you’re serious about getting better this place will meet you where you’re at and prepare you to launch with a renewed mind and heart.

Monica P

I can't begin to explain just how amazing Harmony Place is. In fact, when we sit down with the owner, Jeff, and clinical director, David, on Monday mornings to have a house meeting, they ask us what they could be doing better. A bigger blender for smoothies is the ONLY thing we could come up with. Let me begin by addressing some negative reviews. If you notice many of them are from people, or are referring to people who have been asked to leave. It is because of harmony places protection of their clients that provide ideal conditions for healing and progress. There is a screening process that it is implemented where they make sure the clients they admit are ready to start a life of sobriety. Some people slip through the cracks. Some people find out a few days or weeks in that they've changed their minds. Some are inappropriate and break rules. It happens. When Harmony Place ask people to leave, It's because they are protecting the people who are here that want treatment. In effect, they're providing exactly what I needed for a genuine start to recovery. When I began my search for a treatment center, my requirements were that the facility's provide an environment in which its residents all want to be there and that it is ethically ran. I got that and so much more at Harmony Place. As well as a structured routine, they also provide a confidential and nurturing environment where one feels safe and where profound healing can begin. Their program offers a sound foundation where further progress in sober living is almost guaranteed. In group meetings, we enjoy getting to know ourselves again and with deeper understanding about why we are the way we are. We are provided with skills to handle real life. Its here that I've come to understand that its not addiction that has driven me to make a mess of my life. It is the trauma that I endured and not processing it correctly that lead to poor thinking patterns that opened the door to addiction resulting in poor life management. So we start at the bottom. Trauma. They help us understand that trauma has led to our own toxicity, what that trauma looks like and how to get out of our own way. Process groups help us learn how to take accountability and foster healthier relationships. I learned here that changing the way I think is absolutely possible and imperative to the healing process. Harmony Place offered me hope when I previously felt I was unfixable and a support team that truly loves me. Even after I leave here, I have contacts that almost demand I keep in touch and an alumni meeting where I can return to the facility on Thursday nights. I wasn't a 12 stepper when I came here but my first experience with it was not one where I was ready to stop using. I understand now that the steps will work for me. It's certainly is not the only modality that they teach. In one group, we are provided an opportunity to sit with a recently retired medical doctor to just ask questions. Another is with a nutritionist. There are a handful of people IN recovery that come to lead groups that are all accredited highly specialized where I felt understood and not judged. The knowledge I have gained here is life changing. It is also versatile and relatable for all types of people. my favorite group was dialectical behavioral therapy. There are breathing classes and sound bath groups and I started doing yoga in the morning. There's a dharma meeting they take you offsite that focuses on Buddhist values. A fantastic onsight chef provides three meals and you can have special requests. We facilitated our own Movie nights during free time. I cant forget to mention you get your own one on one meetings with your assigned primary therapist and there is comprehensive medical support complete with 24/7 nurses and a doctor that shows up throughout the week. If this is what you need to recover and you have mediCAL, cancel your mediCAL and get insurance Harmony Place accepts if you can. There are people to help you with that as well. Just call. Many, many thanks to the staff. ✔️Another life changed.🙏

Cody B

This is such an amazing place truly changed my life. I would recommend this place to anybody if they’re looking for a strong recovery house that truly cares about your recovery and not about just money So if you’re ready to change your life, don’t miss out on the greatness of harmony because this place is where it’s at