There are signs of a problem when you have a friend or a loved one in need of alcohol drug rehab, but convincing them that they have a problem isn’t easy or if at all possible.
They need to decide that they have a problem. Unless they can admit that they have a problem with alcohol abuse or drug abuse, the best rehab program on the planet cannot help them because they do not believe they have a problem.
Recognizing a problem is the first and perhaps the most significant step in alcohol and drug rehabilitation. Then the next big step is the sincere desire to seek help. People that are “pressured” into treatment rarely succeed in the long term. And even then, most of the time, there is at least one relapse before they obtain long-term sobriety.
Look for the following consistent signs in your friend or loved one to be able to identify if they might have an alcohol or drug abuse problem:
Alcohol: Clumsiness, dilated pupils, difficulty walking, slurred speech, and if the person in question is a minor, most likely, they will have a fake ID card.
Depressants: It seems like they are drunk without the smell of alcohol, has a hard time concentrating, have clumsiness, poor judgment, contracted pupils, slurred speech, and sleepiness.
Inhalants such as glue, vapors, and aerosols: Impaired vision, watery eyes, loss of memory or thoughts, headaches with nausea, rashes around the nose, drippy nose, appears drunk, drowsiness, change in appetite, poor muscle control, irritability & anxiety.
Hallucinogens: Bizarre, irrational behavior, which includes aggression, hallucinations, paranoia, there are mood swings, self-absorption or with other objects, confusion, and slurred speech.
Heroin: Strange sleep patterns, coughing, sniffling, contracted pupils, no pupil response to light, twitching, and of course, the needle marks.
Marijuana: Red, glassy eyes, loud talking, inappropriate laughing, sleepiness, sweet burnt smell, loss of interest and motivation, and weight changes.
There are other behavioral signs as well, like the following;
Changes in overall attitude towards just about everything, changes in friends, primarily if the new friends are known drug users, changes in activities, drop-in grades due to skipping school, late for school or work, changes in home habits, having a hard time paying attention, lack of motivation, lack of self-esteem and an “I don’t care attitude,” moodiness, resentful and suddenly oversensitive, silliness or giddiness, paranoia, car accidents, dishonesty, sudden need for money and if not able to obtain the funds they may start stealing, possession of drug equipment.
There are methods to help the person actively seeking alcohol and drug rehab get the help they so desperately need. Commonly used is luxury rehab as part of a professional treatment.
