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5 Signs of a Hidden Addiction

Nicholas Conn

Article By Nicholas Conn

Table Of Contents

5 Signs of a Hidden Addiction

If you suspect a loved one has an addiction, but you’re not sure, these tips could help you spot what’s going on.

Addictions can be hard to spot, particularly if it is in a friend or family member you don’t see that often. We have plenty of advice on how to stage an intervention - or even just get them to talk about it – available on our pages. However, that’s not much help when you don’t know what’s going on.
If you are worried about a loved one suffering from an addiction, you can call us for help and advice - our support staff is always here to listen. Or if you’re not sure whether that’s what you need, then keep reading. If your loved one sports two or more of the following hidden signs, they may well have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

The 5 Signs to Look Out For in Hidden Addictions

Try to spot these five signs of drug addiction if your husband, wife, son, or daughter is behaving suspiciously.

1 – They Are Isolating Themselves

If the loved one you are concerned about is using drugs or alcohol, they will start to distance themselves from those that are likely to tell them it’s a bad idea. Think about it: if you were trying to hide an alcohol addiction, you would spend less time with your parents, siblings, or best friends, since they would likely give you a hard time for it.  If your loved one is isolating themselves from you, they may be hiding something, and that something might be an addiction. Addicts can be incredibly lonely, so try to reach out and stay in touch.

2 – They Experience Extremes in Mood

When someone is going from euphoric to depressed in the space of half an hour, there’s something wrong. It might be that they are unwell, it might be that they are on a new psychiatric medication, or it might be that they are on drugs.  Extremes in mood in drug and alcohol addicts are well documented in the scientific community. It is usually accompanied by a reactive mood. Not only is your loved one more likely to experience extreme highs and lows, but they are also likely to be highly reactive to emotional stimuli. This comes from the dysregulation of key neurochemical elements caused by the pleasure/reward system of drug taking.

3 – Their Finances Are a Mess

Not only are their finances showing signs of struggle, but when drug use is involved, there’s usually no explanation for the apparent struggle. Your loved one might have a great salary and could still be asking you for a loan at the end of the month. They might be usually good with money but are suddenly running into financial troubles.  People who are drug addicts – particularly those that are addicted to expensive drugs like cocaine – tend to spend every penny they have on those drugs. Their ability to control their spending is obliterated by their desire to be high for longer. It can interfere with other responsibilities like paying rent or council tax. Eventually, the drugs will see your loved one homeless if it continues.

4 – There’s Paraphernalia In Their Home

Drug paraphernalia is easy to spot when you familiarise yourself with the signs. If your loved one is snorting a substance, look for a tray with white powder as evidence, rolled-up bank notes or small straws. If they are drinking too much, there will be bottles everywhere and their bottle recycling bin will be full. If they are injecting, look for needles. If you suspect a cannabis addiction, check for the ends of cigarettes that haven’t been smoked. No drug addict can fully cover their tracks in terms of paraphernalia. It could be crumbs of drugs left lying on the table or carpet, or it could be outright bottles of pills. One way or another, their living space will have clues.

5 – Their Friends Have Changed

If your loved one suddenly starts hanging around with suspicious characters, this can mean something strange is going on. Especially if they stop talking to the friends they once had. This is an ominous sign because it could mean that their social circle has changed to those who also use the drugs they are taking.  If your loved one suddenly goes out drinking five days a week with new friends, is always lending them money, or feels pressured to keep up with their drinking, smoking, or drug-taking habits, addictions can easily form.

Getting Help for Addiction Near You

If your loved one is displaying two or more of the above signs, you may be dealing with an addiction. Try to raise the subject with them about it and, if all else fails, staging an intervention is the final step. Call Help 4 Addiction on 0203 955 7700 to talk through your options. Remember that you are not to blame for a loved one’s addiction and try your best to do what you can. 

About Author

Nicholas Conn

Nicholas Conn

Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.

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