Supporting People Affected by Substance Use
Nearly 20 million individuals and their families are affected by substance use disorders every year. Caring about, living with, or loving a person with an addictive disease can be challenging. Sadly, for too long, many have been at a loss for where to seek support for addiction.
In response to this, Voices of Hope was organized as a grassroots effort to help identify and access critical resources for those in need. Anyone can take the first step and call or email us to get in contact with the Voices of Hope organization. We also provide weekly support groups and open hours at 18 Beaver Street.
Identifying Addictive Behavior
For friends and family members, recognizing signs of addictive behavior is essential to helping someone. Recognizing patterns of addictive behavior is not always easy, and the signs of addictive behavior are not always obvious.
Since addiction often maintains itself through secrecy and dishonesty, people who face addiction may go to great lengths to conceal addictive behaviors. Friends and family should not blame themselves if they did not see such signs before addiction manifested in their loved one.
Close friends and family members may notice signs of active drug use, overdose or withdrawal in their loved one.
Physical signs of addiction include, but aren’t limited to:
- Eye changes (enlarged or small pupils, bloodshot eyes)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Sleep changes
- Hygiene changes
- Skin changes (cold, dry, clammy, sweaty, goosebumps)
- Worsened physical coordination
- Unkempt appearance
- Mental status changes
- Restlessness
- Shakiness or tremors
Behavioral changes may also help a friend or family member identify a drug or alcohol addiction.
Some common behavioral signs of addiction may include:
- Secretive or isolative behavior
- Unexplained financial distress
- Erratic behavior
- Unexplained or atypical mood swings
- A decline in school or work performance
- Depressed mood
- Inability to enjoy usual activities
- Anxiety
Someone who struggles with substance abuse may display some of these physical and behavioral signs and not others, and not everyone will show these signs. If any sort of physical and behavioral changes occur in your loved one and you’re concerned that drug use is involved, speak with your friends or family members privately AND call Voices of Hope for help and direction.