Behavior Changes

Addiction is an often tragic disease that afflicts many people all over the world. One major symptom used to identify an addiction is the changes in a person’s normal behaviour. The continuous abuse of drugs, alcohol, and/or other illicit substances, will, over time, cause changes in the addicted person. These changes are often negative, and can be observed in the affected person’s personality, physical appearance, and interests.

However, these changes first begin within a person’s brain. One key way this happens is in an addict’s ability to recognise and produce dopamine in the brain. This is an important neurotransmitter that enables a person to feel pleasure and accomplishment, and is an important means through which the body can motivate itself.

Another key behavioural change in addiction can be seen in the addiction itself. The more a person partakes in an addictive substance, the less the effect of the substance, and the higher their need for it. This inverse relation causes the addicted party to seek out larger amounts of the substance, and with greater frequency.

What are the Observable Behaviour Changes of Addiction?

The more addicted the person becomes to a particular substance, the more their behaviour will change to suit their addiction. Some common behavioural changes found in addicts are:

• Lack of Interest: This can be observed in an addict’s disinterest in activities that once provided them pleasure. The more addicted a person becomes, the more their focus shifts towards their vice, everything else simply fades away.
• Lack of Motivation: A distinct lack of drive and ambition is another symptom of addiction. Addicts become less interested in jobs and education and other things that would have otherwise given them a sense of accomplishment.
• Higher Risk Taking Tendencies: A sense of danger is another thing that fades with addiction. A person under frequent influence can be observed to take fewer precautions, and engage in more dangerous activities, especially in pursuit of a heightened feeling of euphoria.
• Secrecy: For most addicts, their partaking in illicit substances must be done in secret, as they know it’s unacceptable to those around them. This means they will isolate themselves more often to hide their actions.
• Impatience: Addicts can be volatile, especially while under the influence of drugs. They are impatient and can have bursts of anger at little to no provocation. This makes them dangerous to be around.
• Increased Sensitivity: Addicts become less able to tolerate loud noises and bright lights as their addiction progress. This becomes more acute during withdrawal.
• Reduced Impulse Control: Long-time addicts will often be unable to suppress their emotions and impulses. They are prone to erratic and improper behaviour and may harm those around them.

Other behavioural changes that can be seen in addicts are lying, manipulation, frequent drowsiness, erratic eating habits, theft, and others.

If you find yourself, or anyone close to you, suddenly manifesting any of these behaviours, it is a good idea to seek out help from a local medical professional as soon as possible.