Typical BehaviorsCommon to Addicts

Delaware Council on Gambling Problems, Inc.

www.dcgp.org (302) 655-3261

What sort of behaviors are common to all addictions? How would someone act that might lead you to believe that they have become addicted to a substance or an activity?

Excessive Risk-TakingEngaging in activities without considering

the possibility of serious harm

Using an Addictive Substance or Behavior to “Escape” Trying to avoid/erase emotional or physical pain

Social IsolationNot being able to “fit in” with others;

acting like a loner

ToleranceNeeding to do more and more of an activity or ingest more and more of a substance trying to achieve the same high as was felt

the first time

Inability to Stop or Control the Addictive Behavior

Compelled to continue no matter what the consequences have been thus far

Reduced or Lost ValuesSense of right and wrong is blurred or missing

Lying, Stealing, Hiding ThingsDoing dishonest things to “feed” the addiction and keep others from knowing about it

Breaking RulesNo longer caring about rules or laws because the addiction dictates their course of behavior

Withdrawal from Family and Friends

Addict feels alone and misunderstood

Mood SwingsDramatic changes in mood from mania

(high–highs) to depression (low-lows)

Abnormal Eating or Sleeping HabitsSleeping or eating too much or too little –

or at inappropriate times

Change in Activity LevelExamples: going from an active life to sitting

around, or from a normal pace to a frenzied pace

Weight Loss or Weight GainInfluenced by changes in eating or sleeping habits

and changes in activity

Lack of MotivationLosing interest in normal activities like school or sports because they

take too much effort

Inability to ConcentrateThe brain is not working the way it used to work

Preoccupation with Substance or BehaviorCraving is so strong that they can think of little else; thoughts dwell on the next “fix”

Need for Immediate GratificationGot to have it NOW

Low Self-Esteemand False Bravado

Trying to mask feelings of inadequacy by acting tough

Chasing the HighThe high is never as good as the first time, but the addict keeps trying to get there again

Use of RitualsExamples: using drug paraphernalia in a certain sequence every time;

wearing the same “lucky” hat when gambling

DenialAddicts make excuses for their problem behavior in an effort to convince themselves

and others that they really do not have a problem

Tendency to Acquire Other AddictionsAn addicted brain will look for additional ways to get high; a brain in recovery will look to replace the old high with a new one