Determining when it’s time to attend rehab is a decision individuals and families need to make, often together. No two addictions are the same, and some of the signs of addiction can be subtle. Furthermore, people struggling with addiction are often reluctant to admit to a problem and will go to great lengths to avoid letting others find out. However, there are some signs that indicate rehab is the right choice and that the time is right. Here are a few signs that it’s time to time to consider rehab in Florida.
Physical and Mental Health Problems
Alcohol and drug abuse is associated with a number of health issues. Fortunately, those who seek treatment can typically recover from these symptoms, but the process is smoother the early treatment for addiction begins. Even though some problems can become chronic, early diagnosis and treatment can go a long way to mitigating the damage done. Health problems often exacerbate symptoms of addiction as they can make daily life more challenging. If substance abuse is causing health problems, there’s almost certainly an element of addiction in play that needs professional care.
In addition, substance abuse can lead to a host of mental health problems. In some cases, it’s difficult to diagnose whether a person abuses substances because of depression, for example, or if the person is depressed because of the effects of substance abuse. In fact, the two conditions often go hand-in-hand, and receiving treatment for one can make the other easier to handle. Regardless, mental health and substance abuse often create a vicious cycle that’s difficult to defeat. Rehab provides a place to break this cycle and beat addiction while discovering mental health issues that can be treated.
Financial Struggles
Addiction is expensive. Alcohol and drugs cost money, and addiction leads to tolerance, meaning it becomes an even more expensive habit over time. Substance abuse can make it difficult to keep up with bills, and struggles with rent or electricity can be especially distressing, making the temptation to use stronger. Maintaining an addiction often causes people to engage in risky or illegal activities to raise the money needed to keep purchasing drugs or alcohol, leading to a dangerous lifestyle. These struggles often extend to work-life as well and maintaining employment while abusing drugs or alcohol can become impossible.
Alcohol and drugs can cause the following symptoms that interfere with work-life: * Poor sleep * Physical signs that bosses and customers notice * Sick days due to poor health * Difficulty maintaining professional relationships In addition, ongoing addiction often causes people to use more often, and it’s common for people to drink or abuse drugs while at work. Some people can function well enough on the job for a certain period of time, but work disruptions are inevitable. Keeping a job through substance abuse is difficult at best, and it makes work life far more stressful than it needs to be.
Behavior and Personality Changes
Friends and family members of people struggling with addiction often first become worried due to changes in behavior and personality. People who have typically been friendly and reliable may become more distant, and they may struggle to keep up with their family obligations. They may also become defensive when asked if there’s anything wrong and become increasingly isolated. Strained family relationships can be difficult for everyone involved, and they can make people struggling with addiction more distressed, prompting further substance abuse.
Substance abuse often robs people of their best personality traits. Thoughtful, caring people can become distant, and a joyful personality can be replaced by more sullen and detached states. It should be noted that these symptoms are also present in depression and other mental health conditions. Either way, however, treatment is essential, and rehab may be a critical component if substance abuse is playing a role. Addiction varies from person to person, and even the symptoms themselves can manifest in different ways in different individuals.
However, some signs are fairly common in people struggling with substance abuse, and recognizing these symptoms in a loved one can help you provide the love and support your family member or friend needs to fight addiction and enjoy a more fulfilling life. Fortunately, help is available for those willing to reach out and ask, and there are countless stories of individuals who’ve successfully defeated addiction. If you’re ready to ask for help for you or a loved one, reach out to us at 772-266-5320 to learn more.