Part of this realisation is identifying the signs of addiction. Perhaps you might want to ask yourself if you feel or are experiencing any of the following:
- Lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behaviour
- Decreased socialisation, like abandoning commitments or ignoring relationships, sense of letting others down
- Ignoring risk factors, like using in risky situations, using substances in ways you never thought you would
- Having any physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing a higher dosage for effect
- Using high amounts of your substance of choice at the weekends and really feeling the side effects during the week
- Identify yourself as a ‘functioning addict’ or often find yourself saying that you are ‘in control’
These signs are commonly linked. The degree of intensity for each element may depend on how long the ‘addiction’ has been going on. Ideally we would all like to be able to identify any negative or destructive behaviour and make the changes necessary to keep ourselves safe, but we aren’t all able to do this alone. For someone who is living with addiction, therapy and a listening ear can prove invaluable in reducing self-harm and safely taking control.
Through lived experience together with my studies and training, I know that no two journeys are the same and recovery is absolutely not linear. Wherever you are on yours I am here to guide you through your choices giving you the time and space you need to think things through without the pressure of expectations.