7 Tell-Tale Signs You Are Developing an Addiction

Author: Sarah Davies​

​Virtually anything can become an addiction. Whether the object of your affliction is a chemical substance or a disruptive behavior, it can easily be considered an addiction when it’s keeping you from freely experiencing the happiness and health that you deserve. If you fear that you or someone you love may be beginning to suffer from the effects of an addiction, it’s time to be proactive in creating a better future.

1. You Feel an Overwhelming Need

There are certain things that everyone should feel an overwhelming need for. Things like food, water, the love of their family, and success in one’s career should inspire these feelings. If you feel an overwhelming need for something that’s counterproductive and stops you from accomplishing the goals you feel driven to accomplish - it may be time to adjust your perspective. Spend some time alone, think about what you do, meditate and identify all the negative addictions that are stopping you from achieving your goals. Only then can you truly start to break free. 

2. Your Thoughts Feel Disruptive

​Meditation is vital for a healthy mind. We all need to be able to let our thoughts pass us by from time to time. It reduces stress and helps us appreciate the great things that lift us up. If you can’t meditate without disruptive or intrusive thoughts about your potential addiction, this is a red flag. You deserve to have peace of mind. 

​3. You Can’t Budget Anymore

Addictions are often tough on the wallet. Money often causes stress in people’s lives, and that stress is intensified when a significant portion of the monthly budget winds up being allotted towards an addiction. This is money you could be spending taking a weekend camping trip in the mountains or having brunch with your closest friends. Don’t let the addiction stop you.

4. Your Home Life Feels Unfulfilling

Addiction has a tendency to isolate us from the people we love. Home should feel like a sanctuary, whether you live with your family or live on your own. This should be a place where you can grow, reflect, flourish, and share the company of others with similar aspirations. When home doesn’t feel the way home should feel, it could be a result of the presence of addiction oppressing what should be a comforting environment.

5. Your Career is Suffering

​Individuals living with addiction often see a decline in career performance, particularly because of the damage that mind altering substances can cause. If you always envisioned yourself in a higher level position with enough money in savings to take a vacation abroad every year, no addiction is better than that opportunity. 

6. You Feel Yourself in Toxic Relationships

Addictions often involve a significant amount of networking. Addicts need to know people who can help them feed their addiction. These acquaintanceships are superficial, and the people who maintain them are deprived of the ability to learn and grow with likeminded individuals. In fact, it is only with the people that truly love and respect you that you can create the kinds of friendships that make the world go round - and those are the ones that everyone needs.

7. You’re Breaking The Rules You’ve Set for Your Life

​Addictions take us far off course. We’re all dreamers to an extent – that’s how we plan our futures. Everyone has deep aspirations, and some people want to go as far as changing the world. Anyone who is devoted to their dreams can make great strides in achieving them when they’ve lifted themselves free from the burden of addiction. It’s a lot of weight to carry, and dropping that weight makes the world feel limitless.
 
If you feel like you might be affected by addiction, it’s never too late to take action. The sooner you target and resolve your addiction, the sooner you’ll find yourself back on the right track of living your life to the fullest.