Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences. 
-American Society of Addiction Medicine September 15, 2019

Recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step to getting help for yourself or guiding someone you care about to services for recovery. Craving and compulsive using Loss of control over the amount and frequency of use .Continued use in the face of adverse consequences There are behavioral, physical, and psychological aspects of addiction.

Behavioral signs include but are not limited to:

• Missing work/school
• Work/school problems
• Missing important engagements
• Isolating/secretive about activities
• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Legal problems
• Relationship/marital problems
• Financial problems (e.g. always needing money)
• Conversations dominated by using or drug/alcohol related topics

Physical signs include but are not limited to:

• Increased physical activity or decreased physical activity (depending on the drug)
• Repetitive speech patterns
• Dilated pupils, red eyes
• Excessive sniffing and runny nose (not attributable to a cold)
• Looking pale or undernourished
• Clothes do not fit the same
• Weight loss
• Change in eating habits
• Unusual odors or body odor due to lack of personal hygiene

Psychological signs include but are not limited to:

• Irritability/Argumentative
• Defensiveness
• Inability to deal with stress
• Loss of interest in activities/people that used to be part of their lives
• Obnoxious
• Silly
• Confused easily
• Denial
• Rationalizing – Offering alibis, excuses, justifications, or other explanations for their using behavior
• Minimization – Admitting superficially to the problem but not admitting to the seriousness or full scope of the behavior or consequences
• Blaming – Placing the blame for the behavior on someone else or some event
• Diversion – Changing the subject to avoid discussing the topic

The three "C's" of addiction:

• Craving and compulsive using
• Loss of control over the amount and frequency of use.
• Continued use in the face of adverse consequences

 Steps to Recovery

Climbing up from the depths of addiction can be a daunting experience. But by focusing on one step at a time, you can build on previous successes, learn from past mistakes, and ultimately achieve the happier and healthier future that you deserve.

Addiction can take hold quickly, in some cases, after first use of certain drugs. Though there are similarities among addicted individuals, each case is unique, and is influenced by a myriad of biological, psychological, and social factors such as age, gender, prior drug use, the substance being abused, and family history.

Because of the intensely personal qualities of addiction, no two people will follow the identical path to recovery. For example, some people will require residential care, outpatient treatment and years of therapy, while others will be able to bring their disease under control with medication and counseling. Drug addiction has an impact on families and often the whole family needs support. 

Even with so many influences and factors, most recovering addicts will pass through similar phases and stages.

The following are five common stages of addiction recovery: