Am I Addicted?

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Am I Addicted?

 

This may not be an easy thing to do. All through our usage, we told ourselves, “I can handle it.” Even if this was true in the beginning, it is not so now. We lived to use and used to live. Very simply, an addict is a person whose life is controlled by his or her substance/behavior of choice. Perhaps you admit you have a problem with a particular substance or behavior, but you don’t consider yourself an addict. All of us have preconceived ideas about what an addict is. There is nothing shameful about being an addict once you begin to take positive action. If you have doubts about whether or not you’re an addict, take a few moments to read the questions below and answer them as honestly as you can.

 

  • Do you ever use or act-out alone?
  • Have you ever substituted one substance for another, thinking that one particular substance was the problem?
  • Have you ever manipulated or lied to a doctor to obtain prescription drugs?
  • Have you ever stolen a substance or stolen to obtain a substance?
  • Do you regularly use a substance when you wake up or when you go to bed?
  • Have you ever taken one substance to overcome the effects of another?
  • Do you avoid people or places that do not approve of you use?
  • Have you ever used a substance without knowing what it was or what it would do to you?
  • Has your job or school performance ever suffered from the effects of your use?
  • Have you ever been arrested as a result of your use?
  • Have you ever lied about what or how much you use?
  • Do you put the purchase of substance or behavior ahead of your financial responsibilities?
  • Have you ever tried to stop or control your using?
  • Have you ever been in a jail, hospital, or drug rehabilitation center because of your using?
  • Does using interfere with your sleeping or eating?
  • Does the thought of running out of your substance terrify you?
  • Do you feel it is impossible for you to live without your substance or behavior?
  • Do you ever question your own sanity?
  • Is your substance or acting out your behavior making life at home unhappy?
  • Have you ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without your substance?
  • Have you ever felt defensive, guilty, or ashamed about your using?
  • Do you think a lot about your substance or behavior?
  • Have you had irrational or indefinable fears?
  • Has using affected your sexual relationships?
  • Have you ever ingested a substance you didn’t prefer?
  • Have you ever used a substance because of emotional pain or stress?
  • Have you ever overdosed on any substance?
  • Do you continue to use despite negative consequences?
  • Do you think you might have a substance or behavioral problem?

 

If you answered yes to any of these, you likely have an addiction.

 

If you answered yes to 5 or more of them, you are definitely addicted to some level and should seek help. Healing starts by acknowledging you have a problem and by reaching out for help.

 

Want to know our path to recovery?  It starts with the 12 Steps.  If you’re ready to get started, so are we.

NEXT: The 12 Steps