How to Identify a High-Functioning Drug Addict
How to Identify a High-Functioning Drug Addict: Warning Signs & Help from Purpose Healing Center
Purpose Healing Center Can Help High-Functioning Addicts Recover
Addiction affects people in many different ways. While some people lose all control and end up homeless with no one around, others can hide their using what appear to be relatively normal lives. The common theme with all addicts is the inability to stop.
Although materialistically they are on opposite ends of the spectrum, many times both the homeless addict and the professional who hides his use both experience extreme isolation.
Just because you consider yourself a high-functioning addict, that doesn’t mean you aren’t suffering on the inside because you can’t stop using drugs.
At Purpose Healing Centers, you can find addiction specialists who understand that sometimes how a person appears on the outside does not match how they feel on the inside. They can help you take back control of your life and heal from your addiction, even if you are a high-functioning addict.
What are the Signs of a High-Functioning Addict?
The concept of a high-functioning addict describes a person who maintains their professional responsibilities. They show up for work every day, pay their bills, and don’t show overt signs of addiction.
The fact that they can argue whether they are addicts due to maintaining their jobs can serve to harm them. Many high-functioning addicts aren’t caught soon enough to stop them from developing a serious psychological dependence on the drug.
High-functioning addicts may also decline offers of help until their addiction is so extreme that it takes much more treatment time to combat. Their drug use or alcohol addiction continues for a much longer period because it is unnoticed, leading to much more severe consequences down the road.
If you are a high-functioning addict and hide your substance abuse well while maintaining your job performance, it may be past time to do something about it. Seeking treatment soon will undoubtedly increase not only your quality of life but that of your loved ones and all the people around you as well.
Call Purpose Healing Center and discuss if you are a high-functioning addict, their admissions team will be able to answer any questions you may have about taking the next steps toward a better life.
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Rock Bottom is Wherever You Stop Digging
There is a common misconception with addiction recovery that says you have to hit rock bottom to recover. This can make it seem like you have to lose everything before you can start your recovery. The problem with this is that many people are living a double life. Their outward appearance is a deceiving indicator of how they feel.
If you are one of these addicts, a high-functioning individual, you may have a successful professional life. You may maintain a seemingly normal life. However, internally you don’t feel fulfilled. You are depressed and hate the fact you can’t be honest with anyone about your drug use.
It doesn’t have to be this way, you can get help today to change. Getting addiction treatment is a medical issue so you do not have to give all the details in your professional life should you choose to get treatment.
Give the admissions department at Purpose Healing Center a call, and we can answer all the questions you have about getting professional help. Whether you need inpatient care or outpatient care, give them a call and discuss your options.
High Functioning Addicts May Have Different Experiences
The signs of a high-functioning drug addict can be less obvious than a low-functioning addict. Little things like a fall in job performance, financial problems, or broken promises can all be signs of a high-functioning drug addict.
If your drug and alcohol use is becoming an issue, but you are high-functioning, it may become hard to maintain relationships. While some maintain seemingly normal lives, you may find this is quite the hard thing to do as time goes on.
As you continue to abuse substances and your tolerance grows, you will need more and more of the substance to acquire the same effect. Drug and alcohol use can also eventually cause mental health issues as well.
Your well-being may slowly start to dwindle as you develop a serious substance use disorder. As the negative consequences start, it will undoubtedly be time to seek specialized treatment for your substance abuse.
Most high-functioning addicts get to this point. When the consequences begin to catch up to them, they start to experience severe consequences. Withdrawal symptoms may be an issue you are starting to deal with now. What was once a seemingly functional addiction quickly became something that needs to be addressed urgently.
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Withdrawal Symptoms as an Excuse for Declining Treatment
Many high-functioning addicts may say that they cannot simply put their lives on hold for the week or more it takes to get over the withdrawal period. You may recognize this feeling, especially if you abuse opiates like heroin or benzodiazepines like Xanax.
The withdrawal can take upwards of a week to get over, and you may have fear about taking that much time off of work or out of your life. The fact is that the consequences of your substance abuse will get worse.
Most of the time, the people around you already recognize the signs that you are a substance abuser. It’s impossible not to exhibit some of the signs of someone with a substance abuse disorder.
If your loved ones haven’t said anything about it, most likely they are in denial because these loved ones know you well enough to see when something is wrong. You may think it is a hidden struggle, but many times, that simply isn’t true.
Breaking free from this double life and finding lasting recovery will help you reduce stress and live a fulfilling life. Purpose Healing Center’s comprehensive approach can help you find long-term recovery. You may be a functioning addict, but a high-functioning addiction is no way to live when the alternative can offer you so much more.
High-Functioning Drug Addicts Being More Resistant to Change
Individuals tend to take more time to find treatment options when they are high-functioning drug addicts. Addiction treatment is sought when you are out of options, and those with a better handle on day-to-day tasks are at an increased risk of declining treatment when it is offered to them.
If you use substances to manage stress and are a high-functioning drug addict, you may have doubts about whether the grass is greener on the sober side of the fence. Addictive substances limit the enjoyment you get out of life, and statistically, those who recover are much happier in life.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “available evidence suggests that QOL(quality of life) is generally poor among active substance abusers and treatment seekers and that reductions in substance abuse, including abstinence and participation in professional treatment, are associated with QOL(quality of life) improvements.”
In almost every case studied, people reported improvements in their quality of life if they sought treatment for their substance abuse disorder. Whether you are a functional addict or not, there are always improvements that can be made in your life.
Successful recovery comes about when you are ready to make the change. Although you are at higher risk of declining treatment as a high-functioning addict, your drug abuse or alcohol abuse can be arrested, and your quality of life will improve if you seek professional guidance.
Diagnosing Signs of Addiction in High functioning Addicts
There are some unique symptoms of high-functioning addiction, and if you see some of these in yourself, it may be time to seek drug addiction treatment options.
Memory loss is a big one. If your drug abuse or alcohol abuse leads to lapses in memory, it may be a sign that you should seek treatment. It isn’t normal alcohol use anymore when blackouts become the frequent norm.
Another symptom is the inability to control or limit the amount you use or drink. If you have a hard time controlling the amount you use or drink, it could mean you are a high-functioning addict.
A key component of a normal drinker is being able to limit your drinking when the situation calls for it. If you find yourself going way past the number of drinks you told yourself you would have, it’s worth taking an honest look at.
Other Signs Seeking Help Would Be Beneficial
Another sign you should seek help is if you constantly use drinking or substances as a reward for accomplishing something. Rewarding aspects of your daily life with intoxicants is an unhealthy way of living.
Constantly shifting the blame for negative consequences onto other aspects of your life instead of the drugs or alcohol addiction is another sign you need to seek help. Addiction can make you do some mental gymnastics to not blame the substance abuse as the reason for whatever negative situations you may find yourself in.
Lastly, one of the most pertinent signs you most likely have an addiction issue is you are constantly thinking about drinking or drug use. Being preoccupied with powerful cravings isn’t normal.
If you relate to some of these common signs of a high-functioning addict, then it will serve you well to call Purpose Healing Center. We will be able to recommend the best course of action to begin a life in recovery.
Purpose Offers Proven Support for High Functioning Addicts
Regardless of whether you are a high or low-functioning addict, you deserve to live an amazing life free from addiction. The bottom line is that there is help out there for you. Purpose Healing Center has resources to get you to where you need to be to recover.
If you have co-occurring disorders, we can help you to navigate both recovery from addiction as well as your disorder. We have programs that include mental health, especially focusing on dual diagnosis and a holistic approach.
Purpose also offers a dedicated and accredited detoxification program, so if you require a medically supervised detox, our facilities have what you need to start your recovery journey.
Recognize the need for change. Even if you haven’t lost your job and are living on the street, what matters is how you feel and that isolation of not being able to stop using can be as debilitating as homelessness.
Coming to treatment for a substance use disorder is a medical leave of absence; you are protected by law to take care of your health. Do not let the fear of losing your job end up costing you your life. With fentanyl showing up in many illicit substances, each time using drugs from an unknown source comes with huge risks.
Talk to the team at Purpose Healing Centers. We can answer your questions regarding where to go from here. Call today!
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