10 Signs of Substance Use Disorder in Someone You Care About

One of the biggest hurdles in recovering from an addiction to substances is admitting the need for treatment in the first place. Often, this is because the person struggling with an addiction is not aware of their addiction or is in denial of it. This is why it’s important for friends, family or co-workers to step in and start the conversation when they see the signs of addiction.

10 signs of substance use disorder

Substance use disorder is a term used to refer to the misuse of a wide range of substances that can cause addiction, including legal and illegal substances. 

Substance use disorder can develop slowly, and you might not even know a person you care about is using any substances. However, when you know how to recognize the signs of substance use disorder, you can start the conversation that needs to happen so they can get the treatment they need.

Signs of substance use disorder may include:

1. Taking more medicine than outlined by a prescription.
2. Inability to slow down or quit.
3. Experiencing cravings when not using.
4. Spending a lot of time looking for the substance and using it.
5. Missing out on or underperforming in work, school and other responsibilities.
6. Strained personal relationships.
7. Using substances in risky situations, such as before driving.
8. Increasing use of a substance to experience the desired effects.
9. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
10. Experiencing a psychological or physical problem that may fuel the desire to use substances, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Start your Recovery Journey at Tulip Hill Recovery

At Tulip Hill Recovery, we focus on discovering what factors in your life may be contributing to addiction in order to treat it at its main source. Our treatment model emphasizes the dual diagnosis approach, which means we treat addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders that might be fueling the addiction. This helps a person in recovery become better equipped for dealing with the challenges of mental health disorders without feeling like they need substances or alcohol to cope.

Are you ready to talk to someone about treatment for addiction and building a better future for yourself or someone you know? Please contact us online or call us at 877-845-8192 to get in touch with our team and start the recovery journey.