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Questions To Ask Yourself If You Think You’re Addicted To Something
In today’s world, we’ve come to realise that addiction isn’t something out of a horror movie, and can appear in a much more subtle way.What this means is that more people are affected than what we’ve been led to believe, especially since most of us are hard-wired to judge on appearances alone.
However, there are some questions you can ask yourself to ascertain whether you or someone you know is showing signs of addiction:
- Do I keep doing it, even though I fully know that there are negative consequences?
If you feel that you are happy to keep performing the behaviour, despite adverse reactions, you might be dealing with an addiction, or behaviour that is on its way to becoming addictive.
- Do I avoid places or social events where I know I can’t do it?
If you favour places that make it easier to fulfil the addiction, and avoid places that don’t, it’s a sign that you need to consider your activity.
- Do I suffer withdrawal every time I try to stop?
If your body is reacting adversely or going into distress every time you try to stop the addiction, you should consider finding medical help as soon as possible.
- Am I keeping my secret from those around me?
If you find that you’re not telling those around you of your addiction, it might be a sign that you need to seek help. If you feel that you can’t talk to friends or family, a medical professional will help you find objective and effective assistance as soon as possible.
- Is my tolerance increasing?
If you realise that you’re consistently increasing your addiction, it might be a sign that your tolerance is increasing, and may put you in danger of, for example, an overdose. If you realise this is the case, seek help.
- Does it feel difficult to stop myself?
If you feel that you no longer have control over your addiction, or your urge to continually fulfil the addiction takes over, it’s time to consult with a trained medical professional as soon as possible.
- Do I take risks or accept excessive sacrifice to do it?
If you find yourself explaining away excessively risky or dangerous behaviour, like theft or destructive behaviour to get a fix, it is a sign of addiction.
- Do I make excuses when friends and loved ones voice their concerns?
When friends are voicing their concern about your behaviour, and you find that you dismiss their worry, or make it out to be less serious than you know it is, you should seek help.
- Do I need it to deal with everyday life?
Life can be difficult, and if you realise that you cannot take on the day without having to use a substance or perform an activity, it can be a sign that you are becoming, or are already addicted.
Addiction does not have to ruin your life. Consult a psychologist at your earliest convenience, and take your life back. If you want urgent assistance, get in touch with the professional team at Psylegal.
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