27 Mar How Addiction Impacts Our Decision Making | Knowing the Signs

Many of us have made poor decisions on a night out. Whether it’s breaking the diet and ordering a takeaway or staying out a little too late, everyone’s likely to have an understanding of how substances can impact our decision-making capabilities. Now, imagine that it wasn’t just one night out. Imagine you are dependent on a substance that causes you to make poor decisions regularly. This is a reality for most individuals struggling with substance use disorder. Today, we are going to take a deep dive into how substances impact our decision making and why. We will also cover some of the signs that a person is struggling with addiction, along with ways we can help them return to their former selves. Together, we can support those in need and begin to remove substance abuse from our lives altogether. Remember, nobody should be alone in this. 

Drug Use and Decision-Making: Understanding the Areas of Our Lives that Can be Affected

When a person struggles with substance use disorder, they are likely to face implications across multiple aspects of their lives. As decision-making becomes more challenging, they are more likely to struggle in several of the following areas. 

Professional Life – One of the most difficult things to keep on top of when people struggle with substance use disorder is their career. Many decisions lead to a lack of enthusiasm towards work, productivity, workplace conflicts, missed deadlines, and absenteeism. Additionally, being under the influence of substances on a regular basis can lead to poor professional choices, impacting long-term prospects and financial stability.

Social Life – When a person is overcome with addiction, they are likely to struggle with maintaining a healthy social life, shifting their social circles towards other substance users and abandoning their closer ones. Substance use puts a heavy strain on all our relationships, causing our support systems to crumble. 

Motivation – One of the first things we might notice in an individual struggling with substance use is a lack of motivation. This leads people to make poor decisions concerning their responsibilities, hobbies, personal growth, and ambitions. Addiction makes us value short-term pleasure over more important long-term goals, ambition, wellness, and our day-to-day tasks.  

Family – Relationships with relatives tend to bear the brunt when a person is struggling with addiction. Whether it is due to the stigma of substance use or an increase in distrust, many members of a family risk feeling the emotional strain, creating a cycle of conflict and struggle. When someone is suffering from substance use disorder, it is essential for family members to educate themselves on the situation in order to provide suitable support. 

What Does Substance Use Disorder do to our Brains 

When we use substances, they have an impact on the chemistry in our brains. The majority of these changes take place in our prefrontal cortex, which is the area that controls our impulses, rational thought, and decision-making. Additionally, when addiction progresses, the part of the brain that acknowledges rewards is taken over, making substance use more important than many other things. Over time, a person is likely to experience impaired judgment and compulsive behaviours and will likely care less about high-risk activities. 

The Way Different Substances Affect Our Decision-Making 

Depending on the substance a person is struggling with, their decision-making capabilities are likely to be affected in different ways. Here are some of the ways common substances are likely to impact these abilities with frequent use. 

Alcohol – Anybody who has drunk one too many will know the impact alcohol can have on decision-making. So, when a person uses alcohol frequently, these side effects can become long-term. This might include reduced inhibition, increased impulsivity, and impaired cognitive processes.

Opioids – Opioids are often prescribed as pain medication in severe circumstances, but when a person uses them too frequently, they can experience apathy towards a plethora of situations and an inability to control their impulses. 

Stimulants – There are several stimulants that people often struggle with, such as cocaine and amphetamines. These substances can seriously heighten impulsivity, causing individuals to take much more risks.

Cannabis – Though many consider cannabis fine to use regularly, it can have adverse effects on some people. This might include a considerable reduction in motivation and can impact our short-term memory. Both of these can lead to poor decision-making. 

Benzodiazepines – A prescription drug for pain or anxiety, these can quickly become addictive, leading many people to misuse them. If used too frequently, people can become easily confused and struggle to make decisions.

Understanding the Signs a Person is Beginning to Struggle with Addiction and Decision-Making 

When an individual’s decision making is beginning to be impacted by substance use, there will be a few signs. Here is a list of tell-tale signs that someone might be using substances. However, please be aware that any of these can be a result of many other things, so it is best to assess a situation correctly, seek professional advice, and never act on impulse in this challenging time. 

Reckless Behaviour or Apathy – If you notice that something is different about an individual’s impulsivity or they don’t care about things that they usually do, it could be a sign of misusing substances. 

Struggling with Responsibilities – If a person is struggling to balance their usual responsibilities and complete tasks or seems blasé towards consequences, this could be another sign. 

Excuse Making – People struggling with substance use disorder are also prone to make excuses for their behaviour and inability to do something. 

Social Distancing – Another behaviour change that occurs with addiction is withdrawing from loved ones and seeking different social circles. Those with addiction will often find they have less time to spend with the people who truly matter. 

Mood Swings – Addiction can also result in mood swings that wouldn’t have happened before they started using. However, mood swings can be caused by several other reasons, so it is best to approach any situation with an open mind and a willingness to communicate. 

Financial Instability – If a person is beginning to seem regularly down on their luck financially, it is a sign that they are struggling to make responsible decisions with money, show up for work, or they might be spending their money on substances. 

Neglecting Academic responsibilities – When younger people start to experiment with substances and begin to use them frequently, it can have a direct impact on their willingness to focus on their education. If you see a dramatic and unexplained shift in interest towards schooling, you should try to talk with them as soon as possible. 

What Can We do at Home to Help 

There are several ways we can show support to those we love when they are struggling with substance use disorder. The most important thing someone who is struggling needs is support, but it’s crucial to understand how we can provide it properly. Here are some tips on how to help an individual if they are battling addiction. 

Open and Nonjudgmental Communication – Communication is key to providing appropriate support to anyone in need. However, there are a few things one must take into consideration when using substances. If you are planning to talk to someone about their addiction, educating yourself on the situation as much as possible is fundamental. It is also necessary to hold no judgment on the situation. Doing this will ensure everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves and that the conversation can go where it needs to. 

Healthy Boundaries – When setting boundaries, it is essential to discuss them in detail to ensure everyone not only understands them but agrees to them. There is no point in one person dictating boundaries; everyone must take the time to come to an agreement on how to approach the situation and find a solution that is respectful of them all.

Emotional Support – One of the most crucial factors in addiction recovery is receiving appropriate emotional support. Substance use often leads to a feeling of isolation, so the more emotional support we can provide, the better chance they stand at recovering successfully. 

Encouragement – Knowing the appropriate level of encouragement to provide is also crucial. Individuals struggling with addiction will often need someone who will encourage them to partake in professional intervention, try new hobbies, develop coping mechanisms, and rebuild their life. 

How Does a Rehabilitation Program Aim to Improve a Person’s Decision-Making 

When a person joins a rehabilitation clinic to overcome substance use disorder, they will be in a carefully crafted environment that can help them develop a personalised recovery strategy. As everyone is different, it is vital to recognise that their recovery journeys are too. Rehab is only the beginning of a long and challenging journey, but when it is done right, it can give a person the best possible chance to fight it. Here is what you can expect from a rehabilitation centre. 

Therapy – This is one of the most fundamental aspects of a person’s recovery journey. Therapy provides the guidance a person needs to explore their own thoughts in great depth, take accountability for their actions, identify the original cause of their addiction, and address any trauma that may have impacted their mental health. 

Coping Mechanism Development – Counsellors and support staff will work closely with the individual to help them develop essential coping mechanisms so they can continue their recovery journey beyond rehab. This will likely include identifying triggers, learning how to deal with them, developing healthy habits, and more. 

Underlying Mental Health Issues – Most cases of drug and alcohol addiction develop from underlying mental health issues. Once the therapist helps a person identify what may have caused this, the rehab centre will know precisely how to address it. This will massively enhance a person’s chances of a successful recovery. 

Planning Strategies – It should go without saying that rehabilitation clinics are experts in developing tailored strategies to help a person resist cravings and avoid relapse in the future. Relapse can happen at any point in the recovery journey. Even over twelve months later, individuals are highly likely to have short bouts of intense cravings, so it helps to know what’s coming and have a plan for when it occurs. 

Becoming Part of Society – Recovering from addiction, identifying the cause, and developing ways to cope are only part of the recovery process. One of the most important things that many often overlook is reintegrating a person back into society. Rehab clinics will develop comprehensive reintegration plans to get people back into work and help them adapt when they become part of a family and a social circle once again. Without these fundamental skills, it is likely a person will relapse in no time at all. 

What Can Happen If Substance Abuse Goes Untreated 

Depending on the substance that someone is struggling with and the numerous variables that are likely at play, everyone will experience a slightly different outcome. However, some things are almost guaranteed if a person doesn’t get the proper treatment for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Untreated individuals will become much more antisocial, secretive, and will become deceptive, trying to hide their substance use from people around them. They will begin to have severe mood swings that can encompass anger, aggression, and emotional breakdowns. Their short-term memory will get much worse, and they will begin to take unnecessary risks in many aspects of their lives. Finally, the depression and anxiety can become unbearable, sending people into a hole that often feels inescapable. It is essential to get professional help if you suspect someone you know is struggling with addiction. Together, we can help them get back. 

How Long Can it Take to Become the Best Version of Ourselves after Struggling with Substance Use Disorder?

Recovering from substance use disorder is a gradual process that has no specific countdown. Sometimes, it can take months, and in some cases, it may take years. The best thing we can do is ensure our loved ones are receiving the support and guidance they need throughout. Over time, it will get much easier, but in the beginning, patience, support, and perseverance are essential. 

Do You Need Help With Addiction Today? 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, don’t give up. There is no better time to reach out than right now! At Calm Rehab, we provide an environment where individuals can thrive and receive the nurturing and holistic support they need. It is never too late to help someone start their recovery journey, but it does start with one important step. Reach out today and find out how we can help you and your loved ones get your lives back on track. We are here to help and will be happy to support you in every possible way.