Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

Recognizing Addiction Signs Early

If you are concerned that a loved one may have a drinking problem or a problem with substance abuse, you’re not alone. Recognizing the warning signs of drug or alcohol abuse early on can make a major difference when it comes to the length of time that it takes for the user to get well once he or she enters treatment. Here’s a look at what you should be watching out for and how you can tell that there is a need for addiction treatment:

Those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol will be unable to control their use of these substances despite your warnings or their own desire to do so. They will continue to use drugs or to drink alcohol even when it causes physical harm or costs them their relationships, their career or their own mental well-being. Dependence on drugs or alcohol is marked by very strong cravings to use and a number of harsh consequences but despite the reality of how bad the consequences are, the user may need help to stop.

The following signs warrant the need for treatment:

being unable to quit drinking or using drugs despite a desire to do so
suffering from physical withdrawal symptoms when less of the drug or alcohol is used
isolation from others in order to use drugs or to drink
isolation from activities and hobbies that were once fun
problems with relationships as a result of drug or alcohol use
denying that there is a problem
legal troubles that result from driving impaired, getting caught with drugs or another instance of drug or alcohol abuse
financial troubles that occur from job loss or overspending on drugs or alcohol
risky behaviors while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
blacking out while under the influence
doing whatever it takes to get more drugs or alcohol when supply runs low

Addiction Treatment

If you or someone you love needs treatment for addiction, call 1-888-885-4616 to speak with a treatment specialist today. Counselors are ready to take your call and answer any questions you have about addiction treatment as well as to help you find a localized treatment solution that will work for you.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Prescription Drug Abuse Threatens Availability of Pain Medication

Take a look in your medicine cabinet — do you spot prescription pain medication? If so, are you contributing to the nation’s dramatic increase in irresponsible prescription drug use? According to the 2008 National Drug Control Strategies Report, 71 percent of prescription pain medication abusers obtained the drugs from family and friends. Among 12- to….

What Addiction Treatment Centers Can Do for You

treatment centers can help you overcome addiction

Living with an alcohol addiction can quickly turn into a never-ending battle between the bottle and the self. As alcohol takes over a person’s life, important relationships, jobs and self-esteem gradually fall by the wayside. Unless a person is willing to make a change, quality of life will continue to decline. According to the Florida….

Alcohol Check-In Sees Record Crowd

Drawn by the promise of free water bottles, more than 1,330 students flocked to the Malkin Athletic Center last Friday for National Alcohol Screening Day, marking a record level of participation that rose by almost 40 percent from last year. The annual event, which takes place at hospitals, community centers, and universities around the country,….

A mindful distraction for pain and depression

CAN THE WAY you chew a raisin affect the way you experience pain? Trials at St James’s and AMNCH (Tallaght) Hospitals in Dublin are beginning to look at how “mindfulness meditation” can be used to help people cope with a diverse range of problems including chronic pain, depression, anxiety, cardiac difficulties and even psoriasis. “Mindfulness….

No booze, less trash at beaches

It was a sight that stunned early-morning surfers and left environmentalists in disbelief. For the first time in memory, San Diego-area beaches didn’t look like a dump the morning after Independence Day. With alcohol banned at most county beaches this year, Fourth of July festivities were milder, family-friendly affairs up and down the coast. And….