Tell-tale signs of addiction
A lot of people become addicts because they feel lonely and that's why addicts, as well as recovering addicts, needs a support system of family, friends and sponsors.
Substance abuse has many symptoms, but it’s not easy to identify them when you don’t know what to look out for.
The Herald asked a recovering addict what to look out for because who knows addicts’ behaviour better than someone who has already been there.
According to Ricardo Mokgosinye, 32, from Toekomsrus, most addictions can be spotted early on by loved ones, but in most cases, people don’t know what to look for or what it means.
“I started using when I was just 12 years old and the first thing I did was to isolate myself from my family and other relationships. I didn’t want to spend time with them because I was scared that they would see how bloodshot my eyes were or that they would smell that I’d smoked something,” he said.
As relationships deteriorate, school grades and productivity also decline, and addicts start to care less and less about their personal hygiene.
“When I was younger, I used to save money to buy things I liked, but once I started using, I started to ask my parents for more and more money because I never had anything left after buying drugs. Addicts usually give stupid explanations when asked what the money is for. I also started to dress differently and I started hanging out with the wrong crowd,” Ricardo said.
There’s a lot of tell-tale signs, but how should you approach your loved one if you suspect addiction? Ricardo said that addicts are excellent liars, so if you ask them directly they will deny it.
“A lot of people become addicts because they feel lonely and they turn to the wrong crowds and drugs for comfort. If family members show compassion and encourage addicts to speak freely because it’s a safe environment, they will most likely cooperate. Going to rehab against your will or for the wrong reasons is a plan to fail.”
Addiction can’t be fought alone, that’s why addicts, as well as recovering addicts, need a support system of family, friends and sponsors.
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