What are the signs of addiction?

Prolonged substance use can lead to the development of a substance use disorder, affecting a person both physically and psychologically. Substance use can impair an individual’s personal, social and professional life, ultimately resulting in a substance use disorder. Examples include being unable to fulfil key responsibilities at work, school or home; continuing to use a substance despite legal problems related to its use or despite existing problems being made worse; and experiencing deterioration in one’s quality of life as a result of substance use.

However, an important point to bear in mind is that, for a substance use disorder to be diagnosed, substance use must recur frequently over an extended period. The person may develop tolerance to the substance, meaning that more of it may be needed to achieve the same effect. If substance use is reduced or stopped, they may also need the substance to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, tremors, insomnia and restlessness.