Most signs of addiction relate to a person’s impaired ability to maintain self-control. This includes changes that are:
- social, such as seeking out situations that encourage a substance or behaviour
- behavioural, such increased secrecy
- health related, such as insomnia or memory loss
- related to personality
Someone with an addition won’t stop their behaviour, even if it causes them harm and they identify it. In some cases, they’ll also display a lack of control, like using more than intended or being unable to stop when they want to stop.
Some behaviour and emotional changes associated with addiction include:
- unrealistic or poor assessment of the pros and cons associated with using substances or behaviours
- blaming other factors or people for their problems
- increased levels of anxiety, depression, and sadness
- increased sensitivity and more severe reactions to stress
- trouble identifying feelings
- trouble telling the difference between feelings and the physical sensations of one’s emotions