10 Ways Addiction Is Taking A Toll On Your Personal and Professional Life

Everyone knows that you can’t cover up your addiction any longer. But how do you know when things have gotten so out of control that it’s no longer just a hidden, dark part of your life? What if your addiction is taking over everything — from work to home to social life? Addiction can take over in different ways for different people. For some addicts, the disease is a secret that can be kept to themselves. For others, the illness defines them and they struggle with shame and self-doubt because they don’t understand why they are living the way that they are.

What does “addiction” mean?

Addiction is a disease that affects the brain. It affects both the person who has it and those around them. It can become a chronic, relapsing illness that can be stopped only through treatment. There are many different types of addictions: physical, emotional, occupational, gambling, and so on. For the purpose of this article, the term “addiction” will refer to a specific set of behavior patterns that are often central to habits like drug use, eating, or gambling. Some people have trouble identifying that they have an addiction. Because of this, it can be very difficult to get help for. If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, there are a few ways to tell if you have an addiction. The first way is to ask yourself if you want to be clean.

How addiction is taking over your personal and professional life

If you struggle with addiction in any way, you’re likely experiencing a lot of darkness and isolation. You may feel like the world has closed in on you, and you have no one to turn to for support. This feeling of being alone can be wrenching, as it can make it very challenging to fight addiction on your own. But don’t fret! There are a lot of resources out there that can help you get through this challenging time. Whether you’re looking for support groups for friends or a meeting place for parents to discuss the struggles of their kids with addiction, you’ll find them all here.

7 ways addiction is taking over your personal and professional life

Psychological: One of the most important ways that addiction takes over your personal and professional life is psychological. Many times, people with addictions feel like they can’t be open about it because they don’t know how their addiction makes them feel. But it’s important to know that feeling ashamed is one of the biggest triggers for addiction. It can shut down your emotions and shut down your brain. When you feel like a big secret is hiding in your emotions, you’re more likely to keep using it to try to deal with it.

4 important questions to ask yourself before you make a hasty decision

Why? Where? When? What?: 4 important questions to ask yourself before you make a hasty decision. Why do you want to stop? What’s the worst that will happen if you don’t? Where do you currently stand on trying to stop using and the present situation? What specific steps do you need to take that step? And most importantly, what are you waiting for?

3 things you can do right now to regain control of your life

Stay in touch with your feelings: The best way to get through a rough patch in your life is to hug your feelings. It’s important to get in touch with what’s making you feel the way you do, so you can either express those feelings or work through them together. Change your routine: The minute you find yourself in a situation that triggers a craving, try to take a different route to work or school. It may be that the elevator in front of you is more your speed. Take a break: It’s easy to keep going when you’re under the influence, so take a break every so often — even if it’s for just a few minutes. Give your body a break, and focus on doing something that will make you feel good — like taking a leisurely walk, getting a massage, or doing some crafts.

2 ways that relapse is a reality for addicts

Your brain needs sleep: We’ve heard this one a lot, but when you’re drunk or high, your brain needs sleep. When you’re sleep-deprived, it’s more likely for your brain to turn to other things to take care of your cravings, like drugs. Your brain needs nutrients: It’s been said that your brain needs nutrients like oxygen and glucose to function properly. When you’re not getting enough of either one, your brain starts to malfunction, and you get withdrawal symptoms.

Conclusion

Addiction can take over your life in many different ways. It can be a secret that you hold inside that you want to keep to yourself, or it can be a visible, public illness. It can be a disease that affects you and those around you or it can be a mistake you hope to overcome with time, therapy, and a healthy attitude. As with any disease, you can manage your drug use better and longer if you know what is happening. Knowing the signs and symptoms of addiction is the first step to dealing with it effectively.