Addiction Struggles: When is an Intervention Necessary?
If you’re using drugs or alcohol, you might be able to do it so that it doesn’t negatively impact your life. You might use them sparingly, and you may never feel like you have lost control. Losing control of your habits is often a fine line, though, and you might not necessarily know when you’ve crossed it.
You can find an IOP in Glendora if you need help with drugs or alcohol. Before you consider whether that’s a viable option for you, though, you should think about these signs that an intervention is necessary.
You’re Neglecting Your Obligations
Not everyone will agree about the signs that indicate someone is struggling with drugs or alcohol. However, nearly everyone will agree on certain ones. One of the most obvious signs that you’re getting into dangerous territory with drug or alcohol use is when you’re allowing that use to negatively impact your daily routines.
If you’re missing work because you’ve been using drugs or alcohol, that’s probably a time when those close to you will want to intervene. If you’re not able to drive your kids to school or pick them up afterward, that’s usually a clear indication as well.
You’re Negatively Impacting Your Health
Your friends and family members are also probably going to intervene if they see that your alcohol or drug use is negatively impacting your health. Maybe they see that you have lost a lot of weight or that you no longer have any appetite. They might see that you come home from the bar with unexplained bruises all over your body.
If so, it’s probably obvious to them that they need to step in and try to get you to correct your behavior. If they see this type of thing, they’re going to worry about you.
You’re Lying to Those Close to You or Stealing from Them
Maybe you’ve progressed to the point where you’re lying to those close to you about your drug or alcohol-related habits. Perhaps you say that you’re going to cut back on your substance use, or you’re going to quit entirely. In reality, though, you’re sneaking off somewhere to have a drink or use drugs.
Maybe you’re stealing money from family members to support your habit. Perhaps you’re taking things the family needs and selling them or pawning them because you need cash for drugs or alcohol.
In these situations, you’re probably in a downward spiral. You may not have hit rock bottom yet, but you’re rapidly on the way there.
Any of the signs we’ve mentioned indicate that you’ve lost control. What might have started as a relatively harmless habit has become a problem or possibly full-blown addiction.
If your family members, friends, coworkers, and anyone else who knows you decide that they must intervene and try to talk you into getting some treatment, you should take that seriously. They’re not just trying to hassle you. They genuinely care about you, or they wouldn’t take the time to try and help you.
