Addiction is a disease in which a person is controlled by a harmful substance such as drugs or alcohol. They are compelled to use the harmful substance even as there are severe financial, emotional, physical, and social effects. It is almost impossible for someone with an addiction to stop using their substance of choice on their own, since the withdrawal effects are difficult at best and dangerous at worst. Much research has proven that only serious interventions such as rehab, therapies, and support groups can help a person get rid of their addiction so they can remain sober for life.
Is My Friend Addicted?
People are often unsure when they see someone using drugs or other addictive substances. Almost anyone who is addicted to drugs will claim to their loved ones and friends that they are not, in fact, addicted. They’ll say, ' I can stop if I want to,’ ‘I’m just playing around,’ or ‘let me have some fun.’ These statements are confusing since you can see real behavioral, physical, and social differences in the person, but they claim that everything is fine. They will either be in denial, or they may be lying about their addiction problem.
This denial may cause a loved one or friend of a person dealing with addiction to doubt their judgment and decide not to take any action. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the common signs of addiction so you can know whether or not your friend is addicted. Once you’ve identified an addiction in a friend, you can take the necessary steps to help them recognize and deal with their addiction.
The Benefits of Getting Involved Early
When there is usually no outside intervention at the first signs of addiction, the problem can escalate until the person hits rock bottom. At that point, the person struggling with addiction may be suffering from several physical, emotional, social, and psychological issues, such as losing their job, struggling in their marriage or other intimate relationships, angering and betraying close family members and friends, going into debt, many irreversible health conditions, and other issues. There can be embarrassing encounters, run-ins with the police, risk of overdose and death, and other crises that crop up when a person is ensnared in the disease of addiction. Although ‘hitting rock bottom’ comes with the benefit of causing the addict to want to find sobriety, the price to pay for reaching that point is too great.
Aside from the addict themselves, there are also the friends and loved ones of the addict to consider. Partners of addicts can suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, depression, and other issues that cause them to live dysfunctional lives. Children of addicts can also suffer from a host of emotional problems, even becoming addicted themselves. As a friend, you may feel betrayed, pained, alone, and grieving over the loss of your friendship. All this can be rectified if the person dealing with addiction is made to realize how harmful addiction is to themselves and those they love, and given the support and resources to help them recover.
Symptoms of Addiction
Below are the common behavioral, physical, and social signs that your friend may be struggling with an addiction. If you suspect that a friend may be addicted to drugs, observe them closely to see if any of these signs are present so you can help them before it’s too late.
Behavioral symptoms of addiction:
- Disappearance for long periods of time
- Lying and making excuses for absence or strange behavior
- Loss of interest in hobbies and work
- Anxiety and depression
- Mood swings, irritability, and anger
- Lack of inhibitions or concern for personal hygiene and appearance
- Engaging in high-risk behavior, such as drinking while still “high”
- Lack of interest in friends and family
- Increased interest in new friends who struggle with addiction
Physical symptoms:
- Clumsiness, loss of coordination and balance
- Smell of smoke or foreign substances in breath and clothes
- Red or flushed cheeks
- Sudden weight loss or weight gain
- Larger than usual pupils
- Frequent nosebleeds or runny nose
- Slurred or rapid speech
- Nausea, vomiting, tremors, and sweating
- Insomnia, lethargy, long periods of sleep
Social symptoms:
- Legal issues as a result of stealing, lying, drunk driving, and other minor run-ins with the law
- Spending large amounts of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of drugs
- Financial issues such as going into debt because all resources are directed towards the drug
- Having in their possession drug paraphernalia like needles, syringes, spoons, and pipes
How to Help a Friend With a Drug Addiction
Once you’ve confirmed your suspicion that your friend is a drug addict, and have identified some common symptoms of addiction, you may want to know how to help your friend with the drug addiction. It is important to remain rational and intentional, not allowing your emotions to get in the way of being an effective influence.
First, educate yourself on the topic of addiction. This will help you understand and sympathize with your friend. Remember that although at first there is a choice of whether or not to engage in using the substance, once a person is addicted, they lose control over their choices and are unable to stop. It is a disease just like diabetes, heart disease etc., and your friend is not out to hurt you or any of their loved ones.
The next step is to research treatment options, to make it easier for your friend to find help after you’ve spoken to them. Get in touch with a professional mental health expert who can advise and direct you to the most practical resources, such as a reputable drug rehab facility, AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or DAA (Drug Addicts Anonymous) groups, private therapies, and other support groups.
How to Discuss the Topic With Your Friend
Many people hesitate to discuss a potential substance use disorder with their friends. They are afraid their friend will cut off all contact with them and other close family, take drastic action like moving out of their house, get angry and overdose, or engage in other impulsive, nonsensical behaviors. Although there is a risk of the conversation backfiring, with guidance from a professional, sufficient research, and the commitment to staying calm, you may be pleasantly surprised at how productive the conversation may be.
Here are some pointers that can help you effectively communicate the issue of addiction with a friend who is struggling:
- Don’t raise the topic when your friend is drunk or ‘on a high’ from drug use. Wait until your friend is sober, capable of rational thought, and less likely to get angry or violent.
- Ensure that you are calm, sympathetic, and loving. Do not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Be prepared to be kind and supportive but firm at the same time.
- Find a quiet, neutral place to hold the discussion. Don’t do it at a bar or other place where alcohol or drugs may be present.
- Try to direct the conversation to the effects of drug use on anything or anyone the addict cares about. Although they may not be concerned about themselves, if they, for example, care deeply about getting a degree or about their children, talk about how the addiction has impacted those goals negatively.
- Be prepared to deal with a range of reactions, from sadness and crying to anger and violence to cold indifference. Don’t take any reaction personally- just think about which direction to take the conversation so you can end with a positive outcome.
- Create a dynamic where there is a two-way dialogue. The friend should feel that you care deeply for them, that you aren’t trying to lecture them or show contempt, and that you sincerely want to hear their view on the matter. The conversation should take more than just a few minutes.
- Don’t get side-tracked and argue about specific behaviors, motives, and effects. Stay focused on the goal of the conversation. Don’t expect your friend to agree with you immediately- they may need more time to think about it.
- Introduce the idea of attending a drug rehab center or engaging in other therapies. Offer your support and love, and give practical guidance on how your friend can attend rehab. For example, offer to help your friend pack their clothes or to help with childcare while they are away.
Conclusion
If you think your friend may be addicted to drugs, don’t ignore the problem. Not only will your addicted friend suffer enormously, but you will, too. Find the strength and the courage to take rational, positive steps to ensure a positive outcome. Your friend will be forever grateful. Here at Avenues Recovery, we acknowledge that overcoming addiction may be difficult. However, with the right treatment, therapies and support system, it is entirely possible. If you suspect that your friend may be struggling with addiction, reach out to us for guidance and support. Our highly experienced and professional addiction counselors have helped thousands of people break free from their addiction, and your friend deserves that too! Help your friend begin their journey to a brighter, happier and addiction-free future.