Warning Signs of Addiction

Warning Signs of Addiction, The Details

Addiction rarely announces itself. It shows up in small changes you notice over weeks or months, the kind that are easy to explain away one at a time. Put them together and a pattern appears.

Behavioral signs worth paying attention to:

• Pulling away from friends, family, or activities they used to care about
• Missing work or school, or a sudden drop in performance
• Secrecy about where they go, who they see, and how they spend money
• New problems with cash that don't add up

Physical signs can include changes in sleep, appetite, or weight, bloodshot eyes, shaky hands, or a general decline in how they look after themselves. Emotionally, you might see mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or a flatness that wasn't there before.

When you talk to them, pick a calm moment when neither of you is angry or under the influence. Say what you've seen without accusing. Try "I've noticed you seem exhausted lately, and I'm worried" instead of "you have a problem." Listen more than you argue. You're opening a door, not winning a fight.