Getting Help
Getting help for an addiction
How can I tell if a family member or friend needs help?
Substance dependence is a chronic and relapsing behavioural disorder, caused by repeated and often prolonged and/or heavy use of psychoactive substances. It is characterised by the continued use of these substances despite physical and mental problems, strong desire to take the substance(s), difficulties in controlling substance use, neglect of other activities and interests in favor of using or seeking the drug, increased tolerance and sometimes a withdrawal syndrome once drug use is abruptly ceased.36
Gambling Addiction
The signs of gambling addiction
- Admission by gambler that he or she spends too much money on gambling.
- Gambler saying that they spend too much time gambling and cannot keep away.
- Gambling is viewed as a real opportunity to make money.
- Persuading friends to gamble against their will.
- Spending a lot of time alone gambling.
- Frequenting clubs or hotels, betting shops, race tracks, or casinos several times a week.
- Excessive use of Internet casinos and gambling sites.
- Spending more than they can afford on lotto.
- Committing crime to fund gambling or to pay off gambling debts.
- Persistent reports that a person has been seen gambling and in the informer’s view has a problem.
- Frequently in possession of betting slips, scratchcards etc.39
Spending Addiction
The signs of spending addiction
- Spending over the budget.
- Shopping or spending money as a result of feeling angry, depressed, anxious, or lonely.
- Having arguments with others about one’s shopping habits.
- Feeling lost without credit cards — actually going into withdrawal without them.
- Buying items on credit, rather than with cash.
- Describing a rush or a feeling of euphoria with spending.
- Feeling guilty, ashamed, or embarrassed after a spending spree.
- Lying about how much money was spent. For instance, owning up to buying something, but lying about how much it actually cost.
- Thinking obsessively about money.
- Spending a lot of time juggling accounts or bills to accommodate spending.40
Drug Addiction
The signs of drug addiction
- Increase or decrease in appetite; unexplained weight loss or gain.
- Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes.
- Extreme hyperactivity; talkativeness.
- Needle marks or bruises on lower arm, legs or bottom of feet.
- Change in overall attitude/personality.
- Changes in friends.
- Change in activities; loss of interest in things.
- Drop in school or work performance.
- Changes in home/family habits.
- Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
- Lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem.
- Defensiveness, temper tantrums.
- Unexplained moodiness, irritability.
- Violent temper or bizarre behaviour.
- Unexplained silliness or giddiness.
- Paranoia — suspiciousness.
- Excessive need for privacy and secretive or suspicious behaviour.
- Car accidents, household accidents.
- Chronic dishonesty; trouble with police.
- Unexplained need for money; stealing.
- Unusual effort to cover arms, legs.
- Possession of drug paraphernalia.38
Alcohol Addiction
The signs of alcohol addiction
- Tolerance (need more alcohol to still feel the effect).
- Psychological dependence (people have a desire for alcohol, varying from very little to very much).
- Withdrawal symptoms (users get all kinds of physical reactions after they stop).
- Use alcohol to reduce the withdrawal symptoms.
- Failed attempts to control the alcohol use.
- Spend a great deal of time on the use of alcohol or on the recovery of its use.
- Damaging effects on the user and their surroundings (problems at work or school, arguments with the people around the addict, dedicate less time to hobbies, illnesses).
- Use alcohol more frequently and in higher doses than planned.
- Continue to use alcohol even if they know it is damaging for you.37
