Working From Home
As of this writing, the state of Indiana is in stage four (of five) of its reopening plan following the shutdowns caused by COVID-19. That means a lot of folks who have been working from home may be headed back into the office. But the guidelines also suggest that working from home continues to be a good idea if it is a possibility.
And once you get used to it, working from home can be pretty great. No commute. A less stringent dress code. Pretty consistent access to snacks. Plus, you get to spend more time with your family.
However, it is also possible that your extra time with your family has revealed something you may have overlooked before someone in your house is struggling with a substance use disorder.
Before We Go Too Far
Listen, we are not trying to make you paranoid. This is not an example of that old horror trope, “The calls are coming from inside the house.” All this togetherness, coupled with the anxiety you may be feeling as a result of the public health emergency, could get you thinking things are a little off when in fact everything is just fine.
That said, there are signs and symptoms you can watch for if you think your spouse, child, parent, or partner might have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
What are the Signs of a Substance Use Disorder?
Here are some things that could suggest someone you love is using drugs or alcohol:
- A sudden lack of interest in how they dress and/or in maintaining their personal hygiene
- An abrupt change in weight—up or down.
- A marked loss of energy and/or motivation
- A noticeable increase in secretiveness or other significant changes in personality or behavior
- An urgent need for money and a reluctance to discuss why they need it
Any of those signs—in any combination—could indicate that a person is battling a substance use disorder. A co-occurring mental health disorder may be in play, as well (or the mental health issue may stand on its own, causing some or all of the signs listed above).
If these signs come to your attention, the next step may be quite challenging—but it is also absolutely essential. You will need to have an honest, nonjudgmental conversation with the person who is struggling.
It is possible you will discover that the problems and troubling signs you have been witnessing are, in fact, connected to the ongoing public health emergency. Increases in depression, anxiety, and a general stir-craziness are all reasonable consequences of the current situation. You may be understandably relieved to find that your loved one is not using drugs or alcohol, but you may still need to help them get help for any new or worsening mental health issues. And, of course, you should be keeping tabs on your own mental health, as well.
You Don’t Have to Wait to Get Help
You might be worried that right now is not the best time to suggest your loved one enter a treatment facility to address a substance use disorder. You may wonder if a facility like Wooded Glen Recovery Center is even open at the moment.
We are open. And we are ready to help.
We have been and continue to be diligent in order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection for our patients, medical professionals, and staff members. We are committed to continuing to help those who are struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.
As difficult as it feels, discovering a loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol is actually a positive outcome of quarantine. It is much better to discover the problem and lovingly address it now than to become aware of it far too late.
If your new working arrangement has led to some new and troubling revelations about someone in your life, we hope you will give us a call. We are here to help you help your loved one.