How to Identify Addiction
When a person is addicted to a substance or behavior, their life revolves around the object of their addiction, sometimes to the point of total control over their daily routine. They will be preoccupied with obsessive thoughts about ways to obtain the substance and will constantly work to obtain it in any way possible.
Sometimes the addiction even causes them to stop their normal routine: Distancing themselves from their spouse, family, and friends, missing work, or giving up daily and social activities.
When the addiction is extreme, the person cannot stop using the substance or control the behavior, even if they are aware of the damage being caused. Thoughts about the use or addictive behavior fill most of the day. Thus, for example, alcoholics can drink all day long; compulsive gamblers plan their games and the sources of their financing, and sex addicts obsessively search for partners.
If you suspect that you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, you should also read the "What is an Addiction" page, which explains the risk factors and early symptoms that can help identify it.
Signs of addiction
There are different signs of an addiction problem, and they may appear in different intensities from person to person. Identifying certain patterns can help you find out if there is a problem that requires help. Here are some of the patterns that may indicate addiction:
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Lack of control -
Increasing dosage -
Loss of interest -
Concealing use -
Financial debts
- Lack of self-control: Difficulty stopping use or behavior, even when there is understanding and awareness of the damage being caused.
- Need to increase the dose: Of the addictive substance or addictive activity, to achieve the desired effect.
- Intrusive thoughts: For example, how to get more of the substance, when can I consume again, a strong longing for the feeling of the effect, etc. The thoughts take up a significant portion of the person's time and disturb the person's rest.
- Loss of interest: Difficulty performing routine tasks and enjoying hobbies (for example, studying, working, spending time with friends and family), and instead preferring to devote time to using the substance or performing the addictive activity.
- Inability to maintain boundaries: In everything related to the consumption of the substance or activity, that is, the consumption is more urgent than you planned, in quantity and frequency.
- Concealment: Of the use of the addictive substance or addictive activity from the immediate environment of family and friends.
- Accumulating financial debt: And also taking out loans, in order to pay for the addictive substance or behavior.
- Bad physical sensations: When the addictive substance or behavior is not used.
A short questionnaire to identify addiction
CAGE-AID is a short questionnaire that you can fill out if you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from addiction. The questionnaire includes four questions, and one positive answer is enough to continue investigating addiction:
- Have you tried to cut down or quit and failed?
- Have you gotten upset when others have pointed out your use?
- Have you felt guilty about using?
- Have you needed to use the substance or behavior to avoid withdrawal symptoms or have you needed to drink alcohol in the morning?
Important to know
Important to know
Addiction is a mental disorder that requires professional treatment. If you suspect that someone close to you is addicted to a substance or harmful behavior, it is recommended that they get help or seek professional counseling.