Signs it may be time to consider addiction treatment
Drug and alcohol use can become harder to manage gradually, and you do not need to wait for a crisis before asking for help. Changes in your physical health, mental health, relationships, or ability to manage everyday responsibilities can all signal that professional addiction treatment services may be appropriate.
Signs to pay attention to include:
- Drinking or using drugs more often, in larger amounts, or for longer than intended
- Trying to cut back but repeatedly returning to substance use
- Experiencing cravings or withdrawal symptoms when alcohol or drug use stops
- Needing increasing amounts of a substance to experience the same effects
- Missing responsibilities or withdrawing from relationships because of substance use
- Continuing to use despite consequences to your physical or mental health
- Relying on drugs or alcohol to cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health conditions
- Experiencing both substance use and co-occurring mental health symptoms that seem to reinforce one another






