Demi Lovato, Elton John, Bradley Cooper, Robert Downey Jr., and many other celebrities have struggled with and opened up about addiction. They help others to realize that addiction is a disease: characterized by the inability to cease a behavior or the use of a substance. Those who become addicted—to smoking cigarettes, to drinking alcohol, to gambling—can’t control their urges or desires to engage in the given activity.
“Although difficult, change is always possible. What holds us back from making the changes we desire are our own limiting thoughts and actions.”
The good news is these individuals can learn to control their urges and ultimately learn to manage their addiction. Often, working with a counselor proves to provide the help and support an individual needs.
Even better news is that there are skilled, experienced addiction counselors at Thriveworks Alexandria who can help you with your addiction. They can help you manage your symptoms, fight through withdrawal, and ultimately live a happier, healthier life on the other side of your addiction. If you’re interested in working through an addiction counselor or psychologist, reach out to Thriveworks Alexandria. We’re ready to help.
Do I Have an Addiction? Emotional, Behavioral, Physical Symptoms
Often, addiction goes unnoticed or, better yet, brushed under the rug. People fail to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction or they do their best to ignore them. In reality, the effects of addiction can leave one reeling. It can completely change life as they know it—but the individual is sometimes too fixated on the drug of choice or addictive behavior to notice or care. This makes understanding the signs and symptoms of addiction important. Let’s look at the emotional, behavioral, and physical signs of addiction:
1. Emotional signs of addiction
- Loss of interest in day to day
- Inability to handle stress
- Lack of awareness
- Confusion
2. Behavioral signs of addiction
- Keeping secrets from loved ones
- Failing to fulfill responsibilities
- Disconnecting from loved ones
- Experiencing financial difficulty
3. Physical signs of addiction
- Hyperactivity
- Lethargy
- Red eyes
- Body odor
- Excessive sniffling
- Repetitive or slow speech
Do any of these signs of addiction sound familiar to you? They might introduce you to a tough reality that is realizing you have a potential problem. If you’re unsure if you have an addiction or just a bad habit, an addiction counselor at Thriveworks Alexandria can help you distinguish the difference. They can also help you to manage the symptoms we listed above.
Work with An Addiction Counselor or Psychologist at Thriveworks Alexandria
According to The Addiction Center, almost 21 million people in the US have an addiction, but only 10% receive treatment. If you have an addiction, make sure you receive the treatment that you require to live a happy, healthy life again. They’ll work to assist you with tools that will help you manage:
- The stress that comes with addiction
- The harmful symptoms you are experiencing
- Your day to day responsibilities
- The direction of your life moving forward
An addiction counselor or psychologist at Thriveworks Alexandria can help you manage and recover from your addiction. If you are ready to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (703) 348-3059. A scheduling specialist will help you do so in a timely manner. Additionally, you’ll be given flexible scheduling options, including evening and weekend sessions. This is just one small part of our mission to offer premium mental health services.
Are you ready to start your addiction counseling journey? We are too. Call us today to get started.
