Depressed by Your Addiction? Signs that You Need to Seek Treatment
As time wears on, an individual who suffers from an addiction can become worn down, tired, and just plain depressed when they lose hope of ever becoming sober. Many are not sure how to tell when it is time for them to seek treatment and so they do not seek treatment, which can cause many more future health risks.
There are a few signs to know when the addict needs to seek treatment. Call 888-646-0635Who Answers? to discuss any further questions that you may have.
Rapid Mood Swings
Mood swings can be a large sign that the addict needs to seek help, especially when they fluctuate from one extreme to the next without a reasonable explanation. Not only are they a sign of addiction, but mood swings are also a sign of any number of disorders, which would only make the addiction that much worse.
An addiction treatment specialist will be able to tell whether these mood swings are a sign of another mental disorder and be able to address it as part of a dual diagnosis.
Levels of Energy & Sleep
If quitting your addiction seems hopeless, it’s time to seek professional treatment.
When suffering from an addiction, people can go back and forth on their need for sleep, making them one part fatigue, one part hyperactive. According to the NIDA, people who fall prey to addiction will begin to act differently than they used to and may be very tired and depressed or energetic, fast-talking, and/or not make sense when they try to talk.
Certain drugs (cocaine, meth, etc.) will be very stimulating for the addict while depressant drugs will make them very tired most of the time.
Lying & Secrets Galore
When a person becomes an addict, oftentimes they want to keep it a secret, so they act secretive about their behavior and will go to great lengths to hide it. Some addicts may ask for more privacy or be evasive about where they have been.
Others will lie to keep their loved ones in the dark so that they will not interfere or pass judgment on the addict for their mistakes. This is a sign of shame or guilt over their choices and with the right therapy, the addict will be able to move past these feelings of guilt and toward a more hopeful and sober future.
Sudden Weight Loss or Gain
Another telltale sign of drug use or abuse that require an addict to seek treatment is weight loss or gain. According to the NIH, a loss of appetite can be caused by depression, drug abuse such as (heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, etc), anxiety, and/or stress, all of which can be experienced during an addiction.
It has also been proven that these emotions can cause weight gain, but with treatment, therapists can show them how to cope with these, which can help them to maintain a healthy weight.
The Correlation between Drug Addiction and Mental Health Issues
If an addict is depressed by their addiction, it is important that they know the signs to show when they need to seek treatment. These signs include rapid mood swings, periods of alternating fatigue or hyperactivity, lying to keep their addiction a secret, and a sudden change in weight.
There is no set good time to seek treatment, but if the addict is becoming depressed about their inability to quit, it may be the best time to find the help they need to become sober.
Please call 888-646-0635Who Answers? if you or a loved one is suffering from addiction or dual diagnosis. You will speak with a helpful specialist that can aid you with finding the help you or your loved one need.
