4 Subtle Signs You’re Struggling With Substance Use Disorder

Substance abuse disorder affects about one in six people over age 12, which is a staggering number. It might start off as a few drinks after work or taking medications to numb chronic pain. But it grows into something that affects every aspect of your life.

The key to overcoming substance use disorder is learning the early signs to avoid it progressing to a major problem. At the Victory Treatment Program in Knoxville, Tennessee, Stacey Maltman, FNP-BC, provides treatments for opioid abuse and alcohol addiction.

She is an experienced addiction specialist helping you with substance abuse through support groups, outpatient detoxification, and medication-assisted treatment.

Substance use disorder facts

Substance use disorder is a chronic brain issue that causes you to use drugs or alcohol even when they cause problems in your life. Ultimately, it alters how your brain functions, causing you to use these substances more and more.

SUD also affects judgment, causing you to act impulsively when you normally wouldn’t. It also affects decision-making skills, memory, and behavioral control.

The problem with SUD is that it often escalates to addiction without treatment. Even when it affects every aspect of your life, overcoming it alone is difficult.

Subtle signs of substance abuse

It’s easy to notice signs of substance abuse in others, but are you able to notice them in yourself? It may start with using some opioids after surgery, which continues when you’ve healed, or drinking more and more to numb emotions.

It’s crucial to notice subtle changes in yourself before SUD worsens. Four subtle signs you may notice in yourself are:

1. Sleep disturbances

Sleep disturbances happen for many reasons, which can make it difficult to pinpoint substance use disorder. However, if you notice you’re sleeping too much or not enough, along with other symptoms like frequent illness or lack of hygiene, it’s likely SUD.

2. Financial issues

Financial issues may appear as unexplained spending, frequent borrowing from family or friends, or difficulty paying bills. If you notice your account shrinking faster than usual or struggling with expenses because of drug or alcohol purchases, these can be subtle signs of substance use disorder.

3. Avoiding social activities

Avoiding social activities may look like declining invitations, making excuses to skip events, or pulling away from relationships you once valued. A sense of guilt or shame about substance use may drive this withdrawal, leading you to spend more time alone or only with those who use substances as well.

4. Mood swings and irritability

Mood swings and irritability can include snapping at people over small matters, feeling suddenly angry or sad, or being unusually impatient. Changes in mood that seem out of character, especially around times of substance use or withdrawal, might be an early sign of substance use disorder.

What do I do next?

The first step after discovering the subtle signs of substance use disorder is to realize it’s a growing problem. Without expert treatment, substance use disorder continues to worsen and eventually takes over your life.

Getting treatment early on is an excellent way to get sober. We discuss treatment options based on the severity of substance abuse and the substances you’ve been using.

The first step is often a form of detox to get the substances out of your system. You may need an inpatient stay or be okay with outpatient detox with regular check-ins.

We offer various medication-assisted treatment options to help your body get over the hardest parts of the process, including withdrawal. Support groups and regular appointments are also part of our treatment program to help you succeed.

Call Victory Treatment Program or visit VTPshot.com to start your recovery from SUD today. Schedule your appointment with Stacey online.