How Do I Know If Someone I Love is an Alcoholic/Addict?
It is very difficult to face the reality that a person you love is struggling with addiction. Even though I work in the field of recovery, I have had experiences where someone who is very close to me is obviously faltering because of drinking or drugs and I engage in denial, hoping beyond hope that it’s not real, that somehow there egregious behaviors are anomaly and they will not have this dreaded disease.
No one wants to be an alcoholic. No one wants to start out taking painkillers for an injured back and then, a few months later, find themselves pill-shopping to meet the needs of their increasing addiction. Addiction behaves like a thief in the night, taking away the person who was once vibrant, focused, trusted and part of the community and it completely distances them from all the positively defining aspects of their life.
The DSM 5 has the following criteria that they recommend utilizing to evaluate whether you or someone you love have a SUD (substance use disorder):
Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you're meant to.
Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.
Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.
Cravings and urges to use the substance.
Not managing to do what you should at work, home, or school because of substance use.
Continuing to use, even when it causes problems in relationships.
Giving up important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of substance use.
Using substances again and again, even when it puts you in danger.
Continuing to use, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could have been caused or made worse by the substance.
Needing more of the substance to get the effect you want (tolerance).
Development of withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance.
Evaluating
2-3: A mild substance use disorder could be diagnosed.
4-5: This indicates a moderate substance use disorder.
6 or more: Addiction or another type of severe substance use disorder is likely.
So, if you look at this list and it is screaming out to you that you or someone you know fits the bill, it is time to take action. Remember, addiction is a progressive disease. It is not going to get better. It will only get worse. In an upcoming blog post, I will discuss all the things that need to be taken into consideration before you begin to put together a formal intervention!