9 Signs of Addictive Behavior

The brain rewards us for specific tasks that make us happy. For example, you binge-watch your favorite television program after a long day at work. You feel the stress leave your body as the brain releases dopamine and other chemicals to make you feel happy. The next time you have a stressful day, you will feel the urge to relax on the couch in front of the television. This becomes an addictive behavior. The brain creates neural pathways to recognize these behaviors.

Addictive behavior is slightly different. Behaviors like kleptomania (theft), gambling, pornography, and shopping are also addictive behaviors. Substance abusers consume chemicals that change the chemistry in the brain.

The substances consumed with addictive behavior, such as alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs, change the brain’s chemistry and the reward system. This is why it is difficult to stop. The person who has an addiction will go through a withdrawal period, which can make them physically ill.

What are the signs of addictive behavior?

There are various signs of addictive behavior, and in most cases, these can signal addiction to other behaviors aside from alcohol and substance abuse. You can use the following signs also to pinpoint addictions like pornography, gambling, and food.

What characterizes addictive behavior is compulsion, craving, consequence, and loss of control. These characteristics can be applied to most addictive behaviors.

Conflict at work

Due to the compulsion of an addiction, it becomes the sole focus of the user. The person may stop caring about going to work or doing a good job. They may show up late for work, call in more often, not complete tasks, or cause conflict in the workplace with others.

Spending excessive amounts of money on addiction

Even if finances are tight, someone with addictive behavior will plan their income around the addiction. They may spend money on the substance instead of paying bills. They may borrow money from others. In extreme cases, they may lose their jobs and beg strangers for funds to support the addiction.

Stealing to get addictive substances or aid in addiction

When it becomes impossible to use their money to support their addiction, the user may resort to stealing from friends and family or they may ask other people to buy for them. For example, a man may ask his siblings to buy him a case of beer before payday. If he cannot get the money he needs, he may steal money from his brother to buy beer.

Irritability or mood swings

When someone cannot get to their addiction, they can become short-tempered, irritable, and develop mood swings. If the user is going into withdrawal, they may exhibit more extreme or violent behavior.

Withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can manifest as physical symptoms depending on the addiction. Substance and alcohol abuse withdrawal symptoms can appear with flu-like symptoms. Someone going through illicit drug withdrawals may hallucinate or experience delusions. They may also exhibit compulsive behaviors like picking or scratching their skin.

Neglecting appearance

As the addiction begins to take more control of their lives, the user will neglect their appearance and home. They may stop bathing daily and doing laundry. They may stop cleaning their house, resorting to piling trash instead of disposing of it properly. Addiction robs people of their self-esteem and self-respect.

Worrying about how to get the addictive substance

The addictive substance or activity becomes an obsession. People with addictive behavior may plan their days around their addiction. For example, a woman with alcohol addiction may wake up every weekday morning and count down until she can get to happy hour.

Once there, she may have difficulty stopping at one or two drinks and coming home to drink more until bedtime. If she must travel for work, she may become agitated or worried, trying to figure out how she will drink to make herself feel better.

Engaging in risky behaviors

Although the user may be preoccupied with how and when to get their next hit, they continue engaging in risky behaviors. This can mean they drive drunk, have unprotected sex, or share needles with other people. The person with the addictive behavior knows the consequences but continues with the behavior.

Inability to stop behavior

One of the true hallmarks of addictive behavior is the inability to stop the behavior. As the euphoria begins to wane, the user will need to consume more of the substance or engage in the activity to get the same “high” from it. In alcohol and substance abuse cases, this can lead to overdose.

Getting help

Addictive behavior can feel like it is in control. However, there is hope. Contact our office today if you are struggling with addictive behavior. A representative can connect you with a counselor to help you get started today.

In-person or virtually, we can help you break the chain of addictive behavior.