How To Know When Your Loved One Needs Intervention

There are many clear indications of abuse when your loved one is suffering from an addiction.  It is your responsibility to step in and intervene.  Whether the issue of abuse is drugs or alcohol, intervention is necessary to prevent serious health risks such as overdose and death. The first and most clear indication that your loved one needs an intervention, is the constant abuse and need for a substance.

Some signs include being high or drunk on a daily basis.  He has uncontrollable rage and panic when they do not have the substance.  He has extreme highs and lows, ups and downs, crying and screaming.  He may sleep for very long periods of time, or have long lengths of time that he doesn't sleep for days on end.  He may always look disheveled and unclean because he doesn't  shower or do laundry.  He cannot keep a job or is always late and not dependable.  He may have a constant need for money, but he doesn't pay his bills, buy his gasoline, or pay his rent. He may start to steal from his loved ones and start pawning electronics, jewelry, tools, and other items he could make quick, easy money off of. 

He may also associate with other people who have the same abuse problem as he does.  If he is associating with people that don't make sense to you, it may be because these people also have abuse issues. Your loved one may be able to try hiding their abuse problems from you, but he cannot hide other people. 

He may also have unexplained weight loss or weight gain.  He may have problems with unexplained, chronic nosebleeds.  He may also have unexplained problems with mucus and coughing, or issues with chronic dental problems.  He may have unexplained bruising on his arms or needle marks that may be hidden by long sleeve shirts.  His eyes may look hollow.  His behavior may include being spaced out, being paranoid, having hallucinations, or depression.  He may also have unexplained episodes of extreme violence. 

Other signs include shakiness, vomiting, and excessive sweating, especially the hands.  He may also have the smell of the substance on his hair, clothing, body, and breath.  He may have slurred speech and the inability to walk.  He may have extremely dilated or constricted pupils, and his eyes may also be very red and puffy.

These are common signs that your loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol. If your loved one needs an intervention, it is likely that you will have to put them in a drug treatment program.  Some of the products they may be addicted to could include, but is not limited to alcohol, opiates, and marijuana, meth, cocaine, and or prescription drugs.  If so, an intervention is definitely necessary.