You may be asking yourself how do I know if I’m addicted?
Answer these questions to self-assess:
Have you found yourself taking drugs or alcohol in larger amounts or for longer periods than originally intended?
Have you tried cutting back on the substance but found yourself unable to despite a desire to quit and repeated efforts to quit?
Do you find more of your time is increasingly occupied with seeking out, using and then recovering from use of the substance?
Do you ever have such intense cravings for the substance that you can think of nothing else?
Are you missing work, school and/or family obligations because of the substance?
Do you feel the need to continue using the substance despite the problems it is causing in your professional and personal life?
Do you find yourself missing out on important social, work or recreational activities because of substance use?
Do you use the substance in situations where it is physically hazardous such as driving while intoxicated?
Despite knowing that drugs or alcohol are causing physical and psychological problems for yourself you are unable to stop using them?
You need to consume larger quantities of the substance to achieve the desired effect.
Have you ever needed to use drugs or alcohol to feel better upon waking up in the morning?
Do you find yourself hiding your substance use, perhaps drinking alone before a social event so others cannot tell how much you’re consuming?
