Although different types of drugs have different effects, the symptoms of substance or behavioral addiction are somehow similar. If you or someone you know is showing any signs and symptoms of any form of addiction, it is best to seek for help and get the treatment you need.
The Symptoms
Addiction can affect how the individual interact with the people around him and can cause him to find it difficult to socialize, in general. Below are common social symptoms of addiction:
- Secrecy and solitude. In many cases, someone who has substance addiction can become very secretive when taking drugs or drinking alcohol. They may choose to take the substance alone to avoid confrontations.
- Denial. An undeniably high number of people with substance addiction does not really know that they have a problem. They are aware that they have become physically dependent on the substance but they refuse to seek treatment, because they think that they can quit their addiction anytime they want to.
- Stops joining activities and dropping usual hobbies. As one’s addiction progresses, a person with any form of addiction might stop joining activities that he or she used to enjoy. For example, people who have a smoking addiction might not be in the best physical shape to take part in their favorite sport.
- Turning down invitations. A person with an addiction to drugs or alcohol might constantly turn down invitations from families and friends and avoid to join activities. Someone with alcohol use disorder, for example, may decline an invitation to enjoy a day at the beach or go camping if there will be no alcohol available. For a person who is addicted to smoking, he or she might decide not to eat out with family or friends if they choose to go to a smoke-free restaurant.
- Financial difficulties. Addiction can be very expensive and can result in considerably big financial sacrifices so a person with substance addiction can secure a regular supply to satisfy their cravings everytime it hits them.
The Effects
The negative effects of addiction to the social life of an individual include the following:
- Emotional tension
- Economic tension
- Dissatisfaction and distress in relationships
- Instability in the family
- Abuse or neglect towards family
- Poor academic performance
- Frustration, depression, and anxiety
- Birth defects during pregnancy for pregnant women using drugs and other substances
- Conduct disorders
- High tension towards people