People who abuse substances often feel that their lives are out of control. Maintaining control becomes harder and harder the longer they have been abusing substances. People do desperate things to continue to appear normal. These desperate behaviors are called addictive behaviors—behaviors related to substance use. Sometimes these addictive behaviors occur only when people are using or moving toward using. Recognize when you begin to engage in these behaviors. That’s when you know to start fighting extra hard to move away from relapse.
□ Lying
□ Stealing
□ Being irresponsible (for example, not meeting family or work commitments)
□ Being unreliable (for example, being late for appointments, breaking promises)
□ Being careless about health and grooming (for example, wearing “using” clothes, avoiding exercise, eating poorly, having a messy appearance)
□ Getting sloppy in housekeeping
□ Behaving impulsively (without thinking)
□ Behaving compulsively (for example, too much eating, working, sex)
□ Changing work habits (for example, working more, less, not at all, new job, change in hours)
□ Losing interest in things (for example, recreational activities, family life)
□ Isolating (staying by yourself much of the time)
□ Missing or being late for treatment
□ Using other drugs or alcohol
□ Stopping prescribed medication (for example, disulfiram, naltrexone)