Warning Signs of Addiction

Warning Signs of Addiction — The Details

How do you know when someone you love has crossed the line from heavy use into addiction? The signs are rarely dramatic, and they build slowly, which is exactly why they are easy to explain away. Watch for patterns rather than single incidents.

Behavioral signs often show up first:

• Pulling away from family, old friends, or activities they used to care about
• Missing work, school, or commitments that used to matter
• Secrecy about where they go, who they see, or how money gets spent

Physical and emotional changes tend to follow: shifting sleep and appetite, red or glassy eyes, tremors, and mood swings that seem to arrive out of nowhere. Irritability, anxiety, and defensiveness are common when the subject comes up.

When you decide to talk, choose a calm, sober moment and lead with concern, not accusation. Say what you have noticed and how it worries you. Stick to specific observations, listen more than you argue, and offer to help them take the next step rather than demanding they change on the spot.