How to recognize an addict?

Several key ideas for knowing how to recognize the warning signs of addiction.

The ability to know how to recognize that a person is an addict is ultimately something that can only be performed with guarantees by a health professional; however, it is also important for citizens to know how to detect warning signs that indicate the likelihood that someone has developed a pathology of this type.

Therefore, in this article we will see several key ideas about how to recognize that someone is addicted.

What two types of addictions are there?

To be able to recognize addiction and to know the aspects that give away the behavior of an addicted person, it is necessary to distinguish between two types of addictions, it is necessary to distinguish between two types of addictions.

Substance addictions

Firstly, we can find the so-called substance addiction, which is what is usually known as drug addiction. what is commonly referred to as drug addiction.. This group includes all those situations in which a substance, a concrete element that we can feel, is what alters the organism and its functioning.

Some substances that belong to this group are the following:

• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Cocaine
• Nicotine

Non-substance addictions

The fact that there is no specific physical element whose consumption generates sudden changes in the mental state does not make this group any less dangerous.. Moreover, the addictions that are framed are becoming more and more common.

Non-substance addictions are those in which the person develops a dependence on something that is not per sé a substance, but which exerts an equally addictive effect. Some examples are:

• Gambling
• Sex
• Shopping
• Work

Each of these groups has its own characteristicsThe characteristics that allow us to recognize the addiction in both cases. And these common aspects are the ones we are going to talk about next.

How to recognize if someone is addicted?

In some cases it can be complicated to detect a case of addiction, and if we do not do it in time, it may be too late. By being alert and knowing these 5 signs we will be able to recognize an addicted person.

1. No self-control

This is the easiest to recognize in another person. One of the most common phrases in someone who suffers an addiction is "I can quit whenever I want".. However, this is a fallacy, a form of self-deception when they see that they cannot control anything, that it is the addiction that controls the person.

Let's take an example. When a person starts to play for fun and gradually sees how he or she cannot stop, that is the moment when he or she begins to lose control. It is stronger than the person. He plays to feel emotions.

This, sooner or later, makes those around the addicted person suspect that something is wrong. Not only does he/she devotes more time to this dependence, but it is increasingly difficult for him/her to get rid of it.

2. Another symptom of the addiction: impulsivity.

A characteristic feature of addicted people is that they change, they become more change, become more nervous and impulsive.. Nervousness is also accompanied by other indicators, such as increased irritability, sweating and even the tendency to speak in a fast-paced manner.

This prevents the person from relaxing and the only thing they can think about is going out to satisfy their need to gamble, take drugs or do whatever activity they are addicted to.

3. The physical is also affected

It is a fact that the only thing the addict wants is to consume what he depends on, whether it is a substance or not. This usually leads to sleep or eating disorders, not to mention the fact that the addict This usually leads to sleep or eating disorders, not to mention changes in the body..

Some of these changes are, for example, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, a lot of Weight loss or constant drowsiness. In the case of a workaholic, it is common for him to lose sleep and hunger. This will cause him to have a lot of headaches and general physical discomfort.

4. Mood

Yes, mood changes also occur in a person with an addiction. They usually experience very pronounced ups and downs in their moodsThey will go very quickly from sadness to anger or anxiety.

The reason for these changes is that in the brain there is an important chemical imbalance, and this is what leads to this state. An example can be a person addicted to cocaine. In a particular moment he is very irascible, but in a second he passes to a state of euphoria, to complete the trip in the most disconsolate crying.

5. Feeling of abandonment of her life

The addiction causes an absolute abandonment of everything, habits, people and customs.. What it causes is a disconnection from everything and everyone.

Concluding

In conclusion, it should be noted that each person is different, and although each case must be treated individually, it is good to consider and know these common features in order to be attentive. Addiction is something that needs to be tackled as soon as possible.