How to Know Your Loved One Needs Inpatient Addiction Treatment
The signs that your family member needs inpatient addiction treatment aren’t always clear. That’s especially true when you’re living with someone day-in and day-out and experiencing their ups and downs. You know how to handle the bad days. You just hope one day they will get better or make the decision to stop using substances.
As a physical disease, substance use disorder (SUD) doesn’t just get better. It often takes family members to encourage a loved one to get into treatment for it to get better. At Victory Addiction Recovery Center, we help family members learn about their options and the type and level of care available to them. We encourage you to reach out to us for immediate help. We’ve helped over 5,000 people get the care they need.
Addiction isn’t uncommon, with 1 in 6 Americans over the age of 12 suffering from it. Yet, treatment makes recovery possible for every person.
Signs Your Loved One Needs to Go to Drug Addiction Rehab
Some of the most important signs that indicate a person isn’t able to stop using substances on their own and is in need of professional addiction treatment include the following:
There’s an Impact on Their Health
Addiction impacts a person’s health in various ways. If you see any of the following occurring or increasing in frequency, that is a sign treatment is essential:
- Increased risk of injury, such as falls, burns, or car accidents
- Lung disease or respiratory complications, including asthma or bronchitis-like symptoms
- Liver and kidney failure from no other known cause
- Cognitive impairments, including being unable to pay attention, memory problems, or trouble making decisions
- Engaging in reckless behavior such as unprotected sex, sharing needles, or driving under the influence
Continued drug use can lead to heart disease, including endocarditis, skin infections, and some forms of cancer. If your loved one is developing physical ailments like these or others, seek treatment.
There Are Behavioral Indications of Drug Addiction
Behavioral changes happen with continued substance use. Depending on the substance, they may be more obvious or significant, or could develop slowly over time. The following are common signs not to ignore:
- Increased depression or intense anxiety, especially without a clear cause
- Confusion and difficulty communicating
- Insomnia or needing to sleep all of the time
- Sudden mood swings, intense outbursts, and irritability, especially if this is out of character for them
- Paranoia or intense fears without clear reason
- Personality-specific changes
Substance use changes the function of the brain, altering the physical structure of the tissues there. This impacts thought patterns, executive function, and cognitive function to various degrees.
There Are Work and Relationship Signs of Addiction
Think about the way your relationship has changed with your loved one or how they are performing at work. Specifically look for changes that seem out of place for their personality. Some common signs of addiction-influenced work and relationship complications include:
- A sudden change in performance in either work or school
- Missing work or appointments more frequently
- Being unable to maintain a job, often blaming the employer or the environment
- Pulling away or becoming less open with you about their actions and what they are doing
- Increased arguments and intense moments at home that seem unfounded
- Inability to maintain relationships
- No longer engaging in activities once enjoyed
- Legal concerns related to substance use
In situations where you’re noticing a person change, especially in relation to the way they interact with close family and friends, that’s a clear indication that they may need help. Sometimes people change, but when those changes happen suddenly and impact all areas of a person’s life, that’s more indicative of a need for help.
Addiction-Specific Signs They Need Real Treatment
Is any of the following happening? It may be time to seek treatment:
- They’ve tried to stop and failed. That often means they’ve developed a dependence on the substance. Their brain is now structured to seek out that substance. A medical detox could be critical in this situation.
- They need to use more of the same substance to get results or relief. That’s an indication of tolerance, which can lead to overdose if they continue to increase what they use.
- You’ve made it clear you won’t help them, but they continue to use substances. They may say they don’t have a problem. On the other hand, they may say they will stop, and never do.
- Their priority is substances. This can be hard for family members to recognize as reality. However, as they continue to use those substances, they become increasingly essential to daily life. Every other responsibility they have is no longer as important in that moment.
- They’ve overdosed in the past. This likely means they will suffer an overdose in the future as well.
In each of these situations, the risks are high. Your loved one may need the help, but may be unsure how to get it.
How to Get Your Loved One the Treatment They Need
Call Victory Addiction Recovery Center now. Let us provide you with clarity on your options. You can encourage your loved one to seek treatment, and it can work to restore health and well-being. Contact us now.