Question: What are the 8 signs of addiction?
Answer: The 8 signs of addiction are: craving, loss of control, physical tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, neglecting responsibilities, conflict, risky behavior, and continuing use despite negative consequences. Cravings can be physical or psychological, and are a strong desire to use a substance or engage in a behavior. Loss of control is when you can’t stop using despite your best efforts. Physical tolerance is the need to use more of the substance or engage in the behavior more often to achieve the same effect. Withdrawal symptoms occur when the substance or behavior is stopped. Neglecting responsibilities can include not showing up to work or school, not taking care of oneself, and not meeting family and social obligations. Conflict is when a person’s addiction causes them to argue with family, friends, or co-workers. Risky behavior is when a person’s addiction leads them to do things that could be harmful to themselves or others. Lastly, continuing use despite negative consequences is when a person continues to use a substance or engage in a behavior even though it has caused harm.