Are you worried that you might be relying on something unhealthy to get you through the day? Whether it’s alcohol, drugs or smoking, many of us pick up bad habits that can and do lead to addictions without us even realising that is where we are heading. And once you’re addicted it is much harder to stop these behaviours in their tracks.
That being the case, below, we are going to take a look at 15 signs you could be on track to developing an addiction, so you can seek the help you need before things get serious.
1. The “Just One More” Syndrome
It starts innocuous enough with “just one more episode” on Netflix, but soon escalates to “just one more drink” or “just one more bet.” If you find yourself repeatedly extending the ‘one more’ offer like a dodgy salesman, it might be time to ask why you can’t seem to stop at just one. Overindulgence occasionally is part of life, but when ‘just one more’ becomes part of your daily vocabulary, it’s a bit of a red flag.
2. Your Social Calendar Revolves Around It
When planning your social life, if every activity involves a drink, a smoke, or any particular habit you’re worried about, it might be time to ponder why. If pub quizzes without the pints or movie nights without the munchies sound unappealing, it’s possible your hobby is becoming a habit.
3. Houdini Acts in Social Gatherings
Do you find yourself sneaking off at parties for a quick fix? Whether it’s for a tipple, toke, or text at the betting app, when you start performing disappearing acts to indulge secretly, it’s a tell-tale sign that you’re heading into murky waters. If you’re more elusive than Houdini at social gatherings, it might be worth considering why.
4. Money Muddles
Is your wallet feeling lighter these days? If you find more money going unaccounted for, or you’re spending beyond your means on your habit, this is a classic sign of trouble. Financial strain is a significant indicator that your casual habit is cruising towards an addiction.
5. Mood Swings on the Merri-go-round
If your mood is more unpredictable than British weather, and you find that only your vice can stabilise it, this is a signal worth listening to. Relying on a substance or behaviour to “even out” or “perk up” can be indicative of developing dependency.
6. Defensive? Who, Me?
When family or friends express concern about your habits, do you react like they’ve accused you of stealing the Crown Jewels? If you find yourself getting overly defensive or downright secretive about your indulgences, it might be because you know deep down that there’s a dragon to be faced.
7. Skipping or Slacking
Whether it’s work, lectures, family gatherings, or even the gym, if you start skipping out on responsibilities to engage in your habit, you’re likely not in Kansas anymore, Toto. When a hobby starts impacting your daily functioning, it’s moved beyond a pastime.
8. The Guilt Train
Choo choo! All aboard the guilt train, stopping at all stations from Regretsville to Shame Town. If you often feel guilty after indulging, it’s your brain’s way of saying, “Hey mate, this might not be good for us.” Listening to these feelings can be the first step in acknowledging that you might need some help.
9. You Tried to Stop, But Couldn’t
Ever declared, “That’s it! I’m done!” only to find yourself back at it sooner than you can say, “Oops, I did it again”? The inability to stay away despite a firm decision to stop is a cornerstone symptom of addiction, and you might want to look at the help available at addictionsuk.
10. Physical Changes
If you start noticing physical effects—whether it’s needing more to feel the same effect (tolerance), feeling unwell and unhealthy when you try to cut back (withdrawal), or any changes in appearance (like looking like you’ve not slept since 2010)—it’s time to seek help.
11. Change in Appetite or Sleep Patterns
Have you noticed that you’re not really hungry at meal times, or that you could host a sleep marathon most days? Changes in basic functions like eating and sleeping can be subtle signposts pointing towards addiction. When your daily rhythms start to shift to accommodate your habit, it’s like your body’s trying to wave a red flag while saying, “Something’s up!”
12. Loss of Interest in What You Loved
Remember when you used to love Saturday morning hikes, or when painting was your happy place? If these passions now gather dust on the shelf of ‘used to’s’ while you spend more time with your habit, it might be time to reassess. Losing interest in activities you once loved is a common symptom when an addiction begins to take hold, steering your enthusiasm into a one-way street.
13. Irritability When You Can’t Indulge
If missing out on your habit makes you as irritable as a cat in a bathtub, it’s another hint that dependency might be developing. When your mood becomes significantly dependent on a substance or behavior, your brain is essentially being rewired to see this habit as essential, sparking irritability or anxiety when it’s absent.
14. The Snowball Effect
Have you noticed that what used to be a weekend-only adventure is now creeping into weekdays? Or that your quantities or durations are steadily increasing? This snowball effect, where your usage grows bigger and more frequent over time, is a hallmark of building tolerance and deepening dependence, signalling that your casual use may be sliding into addictive territory.
15. Isolation
If you find yourself pulling away from close friends or family, preferring to spend time alone with your habit, it’s a significant warning sign. Isolation is often both a symptom and a facilitator of addiction, as it allows the habit to occur unchallenged by those who might raise concerns. This distancing can lead to loneliness, which can, in turn, further feed the cycle of addiction.
If any of these signs hit home, then it might be worth having a chat with a professional about your habits and how they are affecting you. Doctors and therapists have seen it all before and they will not judge you, so you really should not feel worried or embarrassed about talking to someone who can help.
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