Recognise Your Addiction
To be able to recognise your addiction is not always easy. So many addictions start rather innocently as a casual or social occurrence. This escalates over time and eventually becomes a priority of life. Other addictions are initiated as soon as a substance is tried the first time.
Slot machines or ‘fruities’ are very addictive – like all forms of gambling. Call now and stop. Recognise your addiction for waht it is.
If you are an addict and reading this you are possibly feeling able to seek help. This is fantastic as an addict must realise that they have an addiction problem and are willing to admit it to their self
So many people only recognise they have an addiction when they cannot access their habit. It is only then that they will admit they have an a serious problem. To progress you must recognise your addiction as such.
Once you recognise you have an addiction you are a huge step closer to getting rid of it. It is amazing how many people ignore the warning signs and “stick their head in the sand” as it is easier than admitting their problem.
Signs of an Addiction
Child eye view of your smoking and alcohol addictions.
Many addicts go into a denial frame of mind. They know they are having symptoms that are not normal – but they are OK when they have had their “fix” so it must be alright.
And they say things like “I can give up anytime I want to”. The trouble is they don’t want to.
If some of the below apply to you or someone you know then professional help is required.
Typical symptoms could be:
- The person takes the substance and cannot stop
- Excess consumption
- Taking an initial large dose to calm down the symptoms
- Withdrawal symptoms – nose bleeds, headaches, shakes, shivers, seizures, fits of rage, nausea, weakness, violence, hallucinations, sweats; plus many more
- There may suddenly be increase or decrease in appetite.
- Insomnia may develop
- In some cases the individual may have constipation or diarrhoea.
- Addiction continues despite health problem awareness
- Social and/or recreational sacrifices – dropping hobbies and activities
- The feeling that no-one understands them anymore
- Push friends and family away
- Relationship problems
- Poor personal hygiene
- Maintaining a good supply
- Taking risks
- Dealing with problems poorly
- Communication problems
- Obsession with their addiction
- Secrecy and solitude and having hidden stashes
- Denial of the problem
- Having problems with the law
- Finding maintaining a job difficult
- Financial difficulties – unpaid bills
It is vital that you recognise your addiction and then decide to say “NO” to it. As soon as that choice has been made you can let go.
The Flourish Programme is to be used instead of or alongside the standard conventional treatments for addiction support. I will never suggest stopping any form of treatment.