Could You Really Stop Using If You Wanted To? 7 Signs You Need Help
You may think you have it under control. You tell yourself that you could stop using anytime you want. But when you are challenged to stop? You respond by saying that you just don’t want to right now.
Is that true? Or is it just an excuse that you are telling others and yourself? Could you really stop using if you wanted to? The line between safe substance use and substance abuse is fine and slippery.
Where are you on the line between controlling your substance use and the substance controlling you?
Here are 7 signs that you need help:
1. You tell yourself you don’t want to stop right now. You ‘don’t feel like it’: It is a mistake to think that you are only addicted if you ‘want’ to stop and then find that you can’t. Many people who are substance dependent don’t feel that they want to stop, even when use seriously disturbs their lives.
They tell themselves that they enjoy using and, therefore, don’t want to stop. Or they tell themselves that they recognize a few problems, but still don’t want to stop because they just don’t “feel like it” right now. That way, they never have to face the fact that you might not be able to stop.
Denial is may be so deep for you that you can’t even acknowledge it. If you want to test yourself, why not try stopping? Even if you don’t ‘want to’ right now?
2. It is difficult for you to stop and stay stopped: Maybe you have already tested your ability to stop. And maybe it was possible. For a short time.
But then you started again.
3. You think about the substance a lot: A sign that your using is taking over your life is the amount of time you devote to thinking about the substance. How to get it, how to make sure you have a constant supply, how it makes you feel.
Are you worried that you might not be able to get your substance when you are traveling? Do you look forward to using as soon as possible after work, or when your family is away?
This is another sign that you need help and another symptom that often creeps up on people very slowly. Have you crossed the line from thinking about it when you feel like it to a feeling that all thoughts eventually lead to the substance?
4. You have episodes of being unable to function because of your drug use: If your habit creates incidents where you are no longer able to function or interact capably, you have lost control.
That is a sure sign that you can’t stop, whether you want to or not.
5. You are taking a lot of risks for your substance use: Are you going out late or visiting dangerous places to obtain your substance? Are you in debt because of it? Are you regularly breaking the law, risking your safety, or risking the well-being of loved ones to get access to your substance?
If so, you need help right now.
6. You have developed a very high tolerance to the substance and require a high dose to feel the original effect: This is a sign that your body has responded to your habitual substance abuse.
You have started a process that will inevitably lead to serious health damage. You don’t stop now using now because you can’t, at least not on your own.
You need qualified, consistent help immediately.
7. You experience withdrawal: The longer you use, the more intense your withdrawal symptoms will be. If withdrawal symptoms occur frequently and disable you from normal functioning, it is a clear sign of addiction.
Reach out for help now
If you have noticed any of these 7 signs, it is very likely that you are no longer in control of your substance use and need urgent help.
There are many organizations that can help you. People reclaim their lives after drug abuse every day. Most importantly, they do it before too much damage is done, with the right kind of treatment.
You can do it too. Make contact right now.
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