Am I Addicted?

Addiction isn’t always black and white—it exists on a spectrum, and understanding where you or a loved one might fall on that continuum can be challenging. Especially in New Orleans, where over-imbibing is a well-advertised component of local culture and celebrations. Whether you’re dealing with substance use or behavioral compulsions, knowing what signs to look for is an important first step in determining if professional help might be needed. At Britt Benson Counseling, I emphasize that only a comprehensive, professional assessment can provide an accurate picture of your situation. In this post, we’ll explore some of the criteria mental health professionals use to evaluate addiction and why understanding the spectrum of addiction severity is crucial for effective treatment.

If you are having an immediate mental health or addiction crisis, dial 988 for 24/7 emotional support, or 911 if you or a loved one are experiencing an emergency. 

Understanding Addiction: More Than Just “Bad Habits”

Addiction involves a complex interplay of physical, emotional, and behavioral factors. It’s not merely about having a “bad habit” or a temporary lapse in judgment. Instead, addiction is characterized by a persistent pattern of behavior that can interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Mental health professionals assess addiction by looking at various components:

• Loss of Control: When someone finds it increasingly difficult to limit their use of a substance or engagement in a behavior, it’s a key red flag. This loss of control is often accompanied by an overwhelming urge or craving. It becomes hard to focus on anything else when those cravings happen. 

• Tolerance and Withdrawal: For substance addictions, tolerance (needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms (physical and mental discomfort when not using the substance) are classic indicators. Similar patterns can sometimes emerge with behavioral addictions, where an individual may need more time or intensity to achieve the desired emotional “high.”

• Negative Impact on Life: Addiction often results in significant consequences in various areas of life—work, school, relationships, and physical health. It can also have a painful impact on those you love. Addiction wants you all to itself, slowly isolating you and cutting you off from other activities and obligations that used to give your life meaning. 

• Compulsive Behavior: Repeated attempts to cut back or stop the behavior, followed by relapse, indicate that the behavior has become compulsive. This cycle can be particularly difficult to break without help.

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The Spectrum of Addiction Severity

It’s important to recognize that addiction doesn’t manifest the same way for everyone. There is a wide range of severity, from mild patterns of problematic use to severe, life-disrupting addictions. For example:

• Mild Addiction: At this level, the behavior may be beginning to interfere with certain aspects of daily life, but the individual can still maintain responsibilities and relationships with some effort.
• Moderate Addiction: Here, the addictive behavior more noticeably disrupts life, with more frequent relapses and a growing impact on personal and professional relationships. The individual may also start experiencing significant emotional distress.
• Severe Addiction: At the severe end of the spectrum, the behavior or substance use can dominate a person’s life. It often leads to serious health issues, broken relationships, and significant loss of control, making professional intervention essential. It is difficult to put effort into any other area of life aside from using

Understanding where you might fall on this spectrum helps tailor the treatment approach. Early intervention can be especially effective in preventing a mild addiction from developing into a more severe condition.

A Note on Withdrawal Dangers: Attempting to detox on your own can be extremely dangerous and, in some cases, even life-threatening. Without medical supervision, the process can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms—including seizures, respiratory distress, or heart complications—that may escalate quickly beyond your control. A comprehensive medical assessment is essential to identify potential risks and develop a safe, structured detox plan tailored to your unique health needs. Medical professionals not only monitor and manage withdrawal symptoms effectively but also provide crucial support and interventions that reduce the risk of relapse and long-term complications. Please seek professional help and/or talk to your doctor if you use drugs or alcohol regularly before stopping “cold turkey,” particularly with benzodiazepines, alcohol, and opioids. It’s also extremely important to be honest with providers about your use so they can ensure your safety and comfort. 

The Importance of a Professional Assessment

While self-reflection and research are important, nothing substitutes for a professional evaluation. Mental health experts use structured assessments, interviews, and sometimes standardized questionnaires to gain a comprehensive view of your situation. A professional assessment is essential because:

• Individualized Insight: Addiction is highly personal. A clinician can provide insights that are tailored to your unique circumstances, helping you understand the underlying issues that contribute to your behavior.
• Holistic Approach: Professionals consider not just the addictive behavior itself, but also co-occurring mental health conditions, stressors, and lifestyle factors. This holistic approach is key to developing an effective treatment plan.
• Guidance for Treatment: Whether you need inpatient treatment/assessment for medically assisted detox, intensive outpatient, medication management, individual counseling for recovery maintenance, or a combination of approaches, a professional assessment ensures you get the right level of care. 

How Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy Can Help Augment Addiction Treatment

In addition to traditional methods, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy offers a unique framework for understanding and treating addiction. IFS explores the idea that our minds consist of multiple “parts”—each with its own feelings, beliefs, and roles. This approach can be especially helpful in addressing the internal conflicts and shame often associated with addiction. By learning to communicate with and heal these different parts, individuals can develop self-compassion and build a stronger, more resilient sense of self.

Conclusion

Asking “Am I addicted?” is a courageous step toward self-awareness and recovery. While self-reflection can provide initial insights, the true path to healing lies in understanding the full picture of your behavior—and that picture is best drawn by a mental health professional. The nature of addiction itself makes it difficult to self-assess, as it distorts thinking and can cause progressive brain changes that further impair decision-making. Addiction exists on a spectrum, and early recognition, combined with personalized care, can pave the way for lasting change. At Britt Benson Counseling, we are here to help guide you through every step of your journey, ensuring that you receive compassionate, tailored support to overcome addiction and rebuild your life.

If you’re a resident of Louisiana and concerned about not being able to stop or just need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation. If you require a higher level of care than I can provide as an individual outpatient counselor, I can talk you through options and connect you to providers in the community, including referral for medical detox. I am also here to support you in your early sobriety journey or long-term recovery maintenance. 

Never Use Alone is a national overdose response hotline that people can call when they’re using by themselves. A volunteer operator will take your location information and alert EMS to that location if you stop responding after using. You can call 877-696-1996 or 800-484-3731.