Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Table of contents
Did you know that well over 21 million people suffer from addiction in this country? Yet, only about 10% of Americans dealing with addiction get the help they need.
Drug and alcohol counseling is readily available to those who could benefit from it most. But unfortunately, people aren’t always able to spot the signs that suggest they need treatment for drug addiction or alcohol addiction until it’s too late.
Do you suspect you might need to spend time speaking with a drug and alcohol counselor? You should keep a close eye out for these signs. They’ll show that you should conduct a search for local drug and alcohol counselors ASAP.
Here are the five biggest signs indicating you might need to take advantage of drug and alcohol counseling.
1. Using Drugs or Alcohol on a Daily Basis
“Everything in moderation” is a phrase you’re probably familiar with. It means you should avoid overdoing it regarding anything, including drugs and alcohol.
If you’re using drugs or alcohol day in and day out, that’s not a good sign. It shows that your body and mind are craving drugs and alcohol to some degree.
If you can’t go a day or, better yet, a few days without using drugs or alcohol, you might want to look into drug and alcohol counseling. At the very least, you’re starting to see one of the first signs of a possible addiction.
2. Building Up a Tolerance to Drugs or Alcohol
Have you noticed that drugs or alcohol aren’t having the same impact on you that they used to? This could very well be because you’ve developed a tolerance for them.
To get around this, you’ll need to begin using more drugs or drinking more alcohol to experience the same high or buzz you did before. It’ll inevitably make you more dependent on drugs or alcohol than you already were.
This is another surefire sign of an addiction to drugs or alcohol. If you sense your tolerance for drugs or alcohol is starting to increase, seeking drug or alcohol addiction treatment will be important.
3. Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms Without Drugs or Alcohol
What happens to you when you aren’t able to use drugs or drink alcohol for a day? Do you find yourself thinking about drugs or alcohol all day long and wishing you could have them?
Worse, do you find yourself going through withdrawal symptoms? Some common symptoms of withdrawing from drugs or alcohol are:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Shakes
- Stomach problems
- Depression
If you’re in the more advanced stages of addiction, you might suffer from seizures, hallucinations, and other severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms could put you in a position where you’ll need to get actual medical care in addition to drug and alcohol counseling.
4. Losing Interest in Anything Other Than Drugs or Alcohol
When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, you don’t have much time to focus on other things. You might find yourself doing the bare minimum in school or at work.
You might also lose interest in activities that used to bring you pleasure. Going to the gym or hanging out with friends might no longer appeal to you.
In the moment, you might not care about your lost interest in these things. But you should try to recognize that they’re a sign that you might need to secure drug and alcohol counseling.
As time passes, you will start showing less interest in doing anything other than using drugs or drinking alcohol. It’ll be difficult, if not impossible, to hold a steady job or maintain relationships with those around you.
The only way to regain control of your life will be by getting access to the drug and alcohol counseling you need. It’ll help you see how you’re neglecting all the things that should truly
matter to you.
5. Struggling to Stop Using Drugs or Alcohol
Some people will see the signs that they need drug and alcohol counseling and try to take matters into their own hands. They’ll attempt to quit using drugs or drinking alcohol “cold turkey.” They’ll rely on sheer willpower to try to get the job done.
The problem, of course, is that a drug or alcohol addiction can impact your body and mind in ways that you can’t even imagine. Focusing on almost anything will be hard when your body and mind crave drugs or alcohol.
If you’re struggling to stop using drugs or alcohol alone, it’ll be one of the most obvious signs that you need drug and alcohol counseling. A drug and alcohol counselor can help you take the right steps toward recovery.
They’ll also be able to provide you with additional resources that can help you kick a drug or alcohol habit for good. They’ll range from group support meetings to inpatient drug or alcohol rehab treatment.
Seek Drug and Alcohol Counseling If You Spot These Signs
Millions of Americans benefit from drug and alcohol counseling each year. But millions of others fail to get the treatment they need for drug and alcohol addiction.
If you’re suffering from an addiction, aim to get the help you need. It’ll enable you to put the pieces of your life back together.
If you want to help those battling addiction, becoming a drug and alcohol counselor might be your calling. InterCoast Colleges can help you enroll in a drug and alcohol counseling program so that you can put your career on the right path.
Contact us for more information.