While living in active addiction, it can be hard to tell whether or not a problem has become severe enough to warrant checking into rehab. Your mind may be clouded by substances, denial, and fear. However, it is crucial to get help sooner than later because addiction will only get worse if it is left untreated. If you are unsure whether or not you need help, here are 6 signs that you need to go to a drug rehab.
1. Your friends and family have expressed concern about your drug use.
The people who are closest to you may be able to recognize that your drug use is becoming a dangerously serious problem before you do. When it comes to drug addiction, many addicts will live in the delusion that they don’t really have a problem. However, it is easier for those around you to see these changes from the outside.
If your loved ones are concerned about your well-being, there’s a good chance that you should be, too. Perhaps they have even asked you to go to rehab or have offered to help you find a drug rehab near you. If so, it is a major indication that it is necessary for you to check into rehab.
2. You fall ill with withdrawal symptoms when you don’t get high.
After a drug is abused for an extended amount of time, the body can become physically dependent on it. When this happens and the drug is no longer taken, the body can be thrown into withdrawals. Withdrawal symptoms vary by drug but can include:
- Muscle aches
- Headaches
- Cramps
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
In many cases, withdrawals are seriously unpleasant. Many people who are physically dependent on a drug will go to extensive lengths to secure their next fix to avoid going into withdrawals.
If you avoid going to rehab and keep using, these withdrawal symptoms will only get worse over time. However, going to a rehab that has a detox program can help. In detox, medical professionals can help facilitate the detox process by offering medications and support to help you during this difficult time. After detox, you can learn how to stay sober in rehab.
3. You have faced consequences as a direct result of your drug use.
When addiction takes hold, it can often seem like obtaining and using drugs is the most important thing. Maybe you have begun to miss classes, get in legal trouble, or have had your relationships affected due to your drug use. Some examples of consequences that are commonly encountered as a result of addiction include:
- Losing a job
- Getting kicked out of school
- Getting a DUI
- Facing criminal charges
- Spending time in jail
- Getting kicked out of your home
- Facing health issues as a result of drug use
If you have experienced consequences because your drug use has gotten so out of control, it may mean that you have a substance use disorder and could benefit from going to rehab.
4. You find it extremely difficult to function without a drug in your body.
Many people who become addicted do so because they like the effects produced by drugs. Drugs may make you more relaxed, help drown out your emotions, allow you to escape from reality, or cope with symptoms of mental illness. However, these feelings are temporary. When the drugs wear off, you may find yourself feeling miserable. You may be more irritable and depressed after using drugs than you were before.
On the other hand, the thought of living without drugs might be terrifying. This could be because you have an underlying mental illness, have untreated trauma, or simply because you don’t have the skills needed to live a sober, happy life. Fortunately, there is hope. Checking into rehab is the first step towards learning how to live without a drug in your body.
5. You have put yourself or your loved ones in harm’s way to maintain your habit.
One symptom of drug addiction is engagement in risky behaviors. This can mean anything that puts you or a loved one in harm’s way. Maybe you have driven under the influence, stole money from a loved one, experienced a drug overdose, or have suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts. Whatever the case may be, many of these actions become second nature if you are suffering from drug addiction.
In order to stay sober, you must learn new behaviors that are healthy and conclusive to a sober lifestyle. Participating in behavioral and holistic therapies at a drug rehab are proven and effective ways to replace dangerous habits with healthy ones.
6. You want to quit, or have tried to quit, and have been unable to do so.
For many people, rehab is a last resort. Some people will try all kinds of methods to quit using, but find themselves unable to do so. If you have ever woken up and promised yourself that you would stay sober that day, then found yourself picking up again, you may need professional help.
If this sounds like you, it is important to know that treatment works. Medication-assisted treatment can help you deal with your cravings and withdrawals, while behavioral therapies can help you treat the underlying causes and symptoms of your addiction. If you are unable to quit on your own, that’s okay. Asking for help from a rehab might be the right thing for you.
If you think its time to check into rehab, don’t wait any longer. Contact our addiction specialists in Palm Beach at Comprehensive Wellness Centers today. They will help you find the support you need to recover from drug addiction.
