Addiction is one of the most common mental illnesses our society faces. In fact, around 10% of Americans will suffer from addiction in their lives, whether to drugs or alcohol.
No matter what the substance is, some common themes that people with substance abuse disorder will experience. Let’s talk about the four common characteristics of addiction and what you can do to stop the cycle.
Four Common Characteristics Of Addiction
While people, circumstances, and substances vary widely, some constants and commonalities that people battling addiction will face. These are crucial to understanding addiction as well as overcoming addiction. Conveniently, they all start with C.
Compulsiveness (Psychological Dependency)
The one thing that is more difficult to overcome than a physical addiction is psychological dependency. The first common characteristics of addiction You can use your psychology to overcome physical addiction, not the other way around.
What is the key indicator of psychological dependence? Compulsive, drug-seeking behavior.
Constantly seeking out drugs, chasing a new high, and an overwhelming urge to behave a certain way is a tell-all sign of psychological dependence.
Cravings
Cravings demonstrate a combination of psychological dependence and physical addiction. To someone with substance abuse disorder, these cravings literally mimic the cravings of basic biological needs like hunger or thirst. If you’re starting to experience these feelings for the first time, or at least starting to notice them, you have an addiction.
If you’re looking from an outsider’s perspective, there are ways to look for cravings in a loved one. People with cravings tend to show high levels of anxiety, discomfort and tend to be completely unfocused on anything else.
Consequences
While there are plenty of consequences to addiction, the most immediate one comes from withdrawals. Withdrawal symptoms are almost guaranteed to come with the territory at some point. Finding a constant enough supply of a substance never to experience withdrawals is unlikely.
If you’re concerned about a loved one, have they been complaining about being sick a lot? Physical withdrawals across every substance mimic symptoms of common illnesses like the flu. Coughing, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and chills are very common among most substances. However, there are still plenty of other symptoms to be aware of.
If you feel sick every time you stop using the substance or start to experience new bodily issues like tremors, these are signs of withdrawal and should be taken seriously.
(Lack Of) Control
Self-control tends to go out the window with addiction. People will mainly focus on achieving a high, getting rid of withdrawals, or otherwise getting hold of their preferred substance.
This lack of self-control has ripple effects throughout their life and should leave pretty easy-to-recognize examples for you to pick up on. You could see it in small, impulsive behavior like irresponsible purchases, or it could result in something as serious as physical abuse. This is the most dangerous of the four commonalities, as it is unpredictable and can escalate at any time.
Intervening
If you believe a loved one shows these common characteristics of addiction and requires treatment, it’s time to intervene. Don’t berate, don’t belittle them, and don’t talk down to them. This will only decrease their desire to seek treatment and likely worsen their drug use in the short term.
Instead, please sit down and talk to them at their level. Let them know you care, get their trusted loved ones involved, and come prepared. You don’t want this to sound like an attack. It needs to come from a good place to be effective.
Remember, substance abuse disorder is not a choice; it is a mental illness that needs treatment. You will not persuade anybody by yelling at them. If you don’t feel you are prepared, learn about some of the most common misconceptions about addiction, so you understand exactly what you’re getting into.
Treatment
Treatment is necessary for substance abuse of any kind. Whether it’s a legal substance like alcohol or a prescription drug, or if it’s an illegal substance like heroin. Either way, the longer the addiction lasts, the more danger they are in of overdose, death, or a worsening disorder.
If you are struggling with addiction or have any of the common characteristics of addiction, the time to get treatment is now. It doesn’t get easier to take that first step, no matter how long you wait. You have a few options to choose from.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment covers a wide range of options. You might do one of them or some combination of them, but they cover medication services, therapy, support groups, and doctor’s visits.
12-step programs are widespread, and they absolutely have their place in recovery, but they aren’t always the best way to get started on your road to recovery.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is by far the best option for beating addiction. These services offer you all the benefits of outpatient treatment with the added benefit of a controlled environment to avoid temptation.
No matter how beneficial outpatient treatment can be, there is always the risk of being able to walk away and go back to abusing substances. The inpatient facilities will usually offer therapy services for you and your family, support groups, medication treatment, detox services, and more.
Get Help Today
Now that you know the four common characteristics of addiction, the time to start fighting it is now. Your physical addiction and psychological dependency will only get stronger over time, so the sooner you make the first move, the better. Get help today, set yourself up for success, and learn about the importance of self-care in sobriety.