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In relationships, it’s important to feel safe and cared for. Sometimes a relationship starts fantastic and later on there can be this knowing feeling that something is just not right. When something just feels off it’s important to not just go with our gut feeling. It’s important to look at what might be a possible addiction so you can make the best-educated choice in your relationship to support your partner or if at the beginning of a relationship to just simply get out before it’s too late.

Here are some ways on how to spot an addiction.

1. Regular usage of something from a video game to the occasional drink is slowly but surely increasing in time and the initial usage to get a good feeling has to be increased to get the same original good feeling.
2. Whenever someone stops, limits, or holds back from using something there are what is known as withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can look like overly getting upset over small things, being afraid to do anything, and physical symptoms such as uncontrollable shaking, sweating from doing nothing, and uncontrolled body shaking.
3. Trying to stop using an item, however, not being able to stop for more than 2 weeks at a time. Please note: This does not include binging which the addict can sometimes stop for up to 6 months and then go on what is traditionally called a bender.
4. Ignoring responsibilities, or being involved in hobbies and healthy relationships.
5. Even though the person knows it’s bad they continue to find and make excuses to keep using the drug of choice.
6. Denial is when a person says there’s no problem and yet they completely hide or think they’re hiding their drug of choice.
7. Often lying occurs about the quantity of the item being used and the addict can sometimes present as overly defensive accusing the partner of treating them like they are in an inquisition when the partner is just simply attempting to uncover the truth.
8. Unknown mood swings that were not seen before can happen when someone begins to develop an addiction. This can be difficult in a relationship where the partner meets the addicted partner and is not aware of the addiction and so has no base line to know what is “normal behaviour.”
9. Some addictions, such as cocaine and meth-based drugs create an increase of unwise financial spending and/or ignoring of financial responsibilities.
10. Changes in health can occur such as extreme weight gain or weight loss, weird injuries and the individual not taking care of themselves hygienically.
11. Zero to little interest in doing things that were once interesting to the partner.
12. Increased conflict and relational challenges with your patterner or loved ones that don’t make any sense. Especially if there were healthy ties before.

Spotting an addiction can be difficult to accept and deal with, especially if you have been in a long-term relationship. It’s not always so easy to go and say I’m outa here. However, if you want to stay in the relationship, it’s important to get the help and support that you deserve until your partner is in a place to want to also get the help they deserve. If you are struggling to deal with a loved one with an addiction, it may be time to seek out a qualified counselling therapist, clinical counsellor, or psychotherapist and begin to walk in New Life.