Category: Lifestyle

  • 3D Printed Houses. The Affordable Home of Tomorrow.

    3D Printed Houses. The Affordable Home of Tomorrow.

    3D Printed Homes?

    On March 16, 2018 the Austin, TX Construction company ICON completed the first 3D printed home in the United States. The home has been deemed livable and passed all Austin city code compliances. ICON has unveiled the equipment and technology to build a 3D printed house in less than 24 hours for the average price of $4,000.00. The companies plan is to take the equipment to El Salvador to build a massive village full of affordable homes to help improve the countries living conditions. Icon has stated that in later development stages, the equipment will be able to complete a home in just under 12 hours. Based on everything we are seeing, this appears to be a game changer in affordable housing.

    Image result for 3d printed house

    Image result for 3d printed house

    How it Works

    Along with ICON, there are several other companies on the verge of mass printing homes. A large company in The Netherlands based in Eindhoven, is set to have the world’s first habitable community made from 3D printed Homes. The process is rather simple. A 3D printer is set up in the center of what will be the home and is filled concrete and other certified building materials. The foundation and walls of the home can then be made to fit any type of structure that is designed by the architect and programmed into the printers. Along with providing affordable homes, this process will also offset the Dutch cities extreme shortage of brick masons. The printed homes have apparently been exposed to rigorous testings for quite some time before getting the government approval to move forward for mass production.

    Image result for 3d printed houses netherlands

    Image result for 3d printed houses netherlands

    Summary

    It appears that these companies are making great headway with getting these homes ready for mass production. If so, in twenty or so years, homeless epidemics abroad and at home could be a thing of the past. It’ll be interesting to see how these homes hold up over time and see just how cheap we can build them. These things right here are why we must always push the technological envelope and ask “Why” instead of “Why Not”. At one time, being able to build cheap 3D printed homes was the fevered dream of a mad man. Now here we are standing on its doorstep, no pun intended.

     

  • 7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    7 Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Cheap airfare, it’s something we’re all looking for. Finding decent prices on flights can be difficult though. It is human nature to want to travel, to explore your horizons and see new places, or perhaps, to return to the places you once knew.

    Whether you want to visit home or see an exotic location, airline travel is fast, but costs a lot of money. What is the best way for finding cheap airline tickets? How do you even start? Whether you are traveling for work, for vacation, or to visit family or friends, finding cheap airfare can help you save on what’s often the largest expense of your trip.

    If you’re trying to take a trip and keep finding it difficult to get a decent price, you’re probably looking for some new travel hacks to help you save some money. Well, the good news is that we’re here to help. Let’s talk about the best ways to fly for cheap! Read more below to learn about who is offering the best rates at an amazing price $73 and $39 for one-way flights!

    Best Ways to Fly for Cheap

    Compare Airfares

    Airfares vary widely, and discount airfare is out there for those who know where to look. The most important thing is that you make sure to compare airfares. The rates offered by one airline may be much higher or lower than the rates of another. If you use one of the popular travel sites, you can easily compare airfares from different airlines.

    Also, if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try putting different dates into the sites’ ticket finders to see if that makes a difference. For example, currently, Southwest Airlines is offering flights as low as $73, and Delta is offering flights as low as $39 during the holiday season.

    Use Reputable Flight Search Engines

    Some flight search engines actually get a cut from airlines when they help generate sales. That means that you could search for “budget flights” and have normal or even premium flights show up. In order to counter this, use reputable search engines that don’t mislead you. Great options are Skyscanner, Momondo, AirWander and JetRadar. Like we said previously don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price.

    Get Tickets Early

    Get your tickets early — but not too early. You may think it would be smart to buy tickets six months in advance, but in fact, getting tickets more than five months before you need them may keep you from getting the best fares. Aim for two to four months in advance, if possible. If you can’t plan that far in advance, at least try to avoid the two-week period right before a flight, when ticket prices tend to go up.

    Specialty sites like “air fare watch dog” provide a medium for you to search for deals between two specific locations, and also can send you alerts when prices drop to a much more affordable rate. This is perfect for those who know where they want to travel, just are not too concerned about when. They can snag a great deal and plan their trip once they get that informative e-mail from the website.

    Airport Selection

    Fly in or out of airports that are not in your destination city. If you are flying into New York City, you may be able to get cheaper fares at the Newark airport than you would in New York City’s JFK Airport. If you are going to or from San Francisco, try the Oakland or San Jose airports. Many other cities also have airports that are nearby but outside of the city limits. Flying out of an alternate airport isn’t even necessarily a hardship. For example, If you are going to some parts of Manhattan, ground transportation may get you there faster from Newark than from JFK.

    You will benefit on price, though, because not as many people will think of using the other airports, so the seats won’t sell out as quickly. Always think in terms of supply and demand when trying to find cheap airfare.

    Non-Direct Flights

    Accept a little inconvenience in exchange for a cheaper price. You may be able to save money on long trips by taking routes where you change planes rather than taking a non-stop flight. If you’re not in a hurry, you don’t need to pay a premium for the faster route. Try traveling lighter to avoid the luggage fees that so many airlines are charging now. Be creative in figuring out how to get by with fewer things on your trip.

    Incognito Mode

    Lock up your search history tight and don’t look back. When you start looking at flights and trips, make sure you’re in incognito mode. When you search for flight prices, sites use cookies to track how many times you’ve looked at the flight. Each new time you look, the price goes up. Why? Well, to get you to buy as soon as possible so you “lock in the lowest price.” Yeah, it’s dirty, but you can fight back!

    By browsing incognito, you won’t have any cookies tracking you. This allows you to bypass this dirty trick and get a better price for your flight!

    Find the Cheapest Days to Book

    Try to fly on a Tuesday or a Wednesday, if possible. Those are often the cheapest days of the week. If possible, avoid Fridays and Sundays, when rates tend to go up. Flying right before a major holiday, like Thanksgiving or Christmas, is going to be very expensive. But if you are able to fly on the day of the holiday itself, you can usually pick up some very cheap fares because not many people want to fly then.


  • 7 Signs of Depression you Shouldn’t Ignore

    7 Signs of Depression you Shouldn’t Ignore

    If you or someone you love is feeling unusually down, achy or lethargic, it could be depression. Depression is serious, but treatable. If you are experiencing any of these 7 signs of depression, you should talk to your doctor. 

    Keep your eyes peeled for the 7 signs of depression you shouldn’t ignore.

    7 Signs of Depression you Shouldn’t Ignore

    Irritability

    If you’re having a hard time dealing with even minor inconveniences, you could be experiencing depression. Those who are depressed aren’t always just hopeless, it often rears its head as anger and hostility. Don’t ignore these signs, as they could indicate a deeper problem.

    Trouble Sleeping

    Insomnia is a very common side effect of depression. If you’re having unusual amounts of trouble getting to sleep or staying to sleep, it could be more than just stress. If you find normal sleep treatments ineffective, consider talking to your doctor about depression being the cause.

    Low Energy

    One thing, of course, leads to the other. If you’re having trouble sleeping, low energy is a natural side effect. Many who suffer from depression and don’t have trouble sleeping suffer from low energy and lethargy, as well, though. If you feel like you can’t muster the strength to even make a meal or get out of bed, you could be depressed.

    Mystery Aches and Pains

    If you’re a younger person experiencing odd aches and pains, it might not be your muscles or bones aching. It could be depression sending false signals to your pain centers! These aches could be a sign that you need to seek help with depression, especially if you have no other notable physical ailments. Listen to what your body is telling you!

    Grief

    Unexplained or overwhelming feelings of guilt, remorse or self-loathing are a very common sympton of depression. If you find you’re overly hard on yourself and critical of everything you do, you could be depressed. There’s no reason to feel like everything that goes wrong in your life is your fault!

    Recklessness

    Taking unnecessary risks, like speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, drinking heavily and taking hard drugs could all be symptoms of extreme depression. These types of risky behavior are very bad for you, long-term, and will often serve to only exacerbate the underlying depression that caused them.

    Trouble Concentrating

    If you find you’re often zoning out, reading words without understanding them and generally ghosting through life, you could be depressed. Trouble concentrating is a common symptom of depression and shouldn’t be written off as a scattered mind. This is especially true if you normally have no issues concentrating at work or on things you enjoy.


  • Best Credit Cards in 2018

    Best Credit Cards in 2018

    From huge sign-up bonuses to generous rewards, there is a lot of factors to consider when you are choosing a credit card. The best credit cards will pay you cash back, offer luxury perks, provide travel rewards, and help you quickly pay off existing balances.

    Our experts analyzed  credit cards to find the best credit card offers  Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the best credit cards for various rewards and purposes. Without further ado, let’s look at the best credit cards in 2018! Explore our top picks and start getting rewarded.

    Best Credit Cards in 2018

    Citi Double Cash Card

    The best credit card for flat-rate cashback, the Citi Double Cash card is a good deal if you keep your monthly balances at zero. You earn one percent cash back on every dollar you spend, which is pretty standard. The cool thing? The 18-month, zero-percent interest period on balance transfers made in the first four months.

    Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card

    As for the best hotel rewards card, this Hilton Honors card is the way to go. You get all the expected benefits for Hilton hotels, but you also get rewards points for normal purchases! That’s literally win-win. Oh, you get access to certain airport lounges, too! Who could pass that up?

    British Airways Visa Signature Card

    This card is easily the best for airline rewards. While Americans might question what they’d do with a British Airways card, don’t get hung up on the name. You can book American Airlines flights through Avios, so there’s no need to worry! Besides, the rewards you get with this card are stellar, no matter who you fly with.

    Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

    The best tiered-reward cashback card, the Blue Cash Preferred offers a number of really great benefits for cardholders. The first, and most obvious, is the tiered cashback. It offers 6 percent cashback on purchases made in grocery stores, which makes it a very easy to use reward card. You buy groceries, right? Then this is the card for you!

    Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

    The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is by far the best travel rewards card. If you spend a good deal of time traveling, this is the card for you. You can spend the reward points you earn through the card on hotel and airline rewards, or in the Chase portal. As for how you get points, you get two points per dollar you spend traveling or dining while traveling. Well, that’s hard to beat!


  • Oshkosh Air Convention. Add it to Your Bucket List.

    Oshkosh Air Convention. Add it to Your Bucket List.

    The History of Oshkosh

    Since 1953 the town of Oshkosh, Wisconsin has been home to the Oshkosh Airshow at the Wittman Regional Airport. It’s an annual week long air convention that host around 600,000 people and 10,000+ planes. Showcasing every type of plane you can think of from old warbirds, to the newest and most innovative planes to date. During the week long convention, There are countless Venders, workshops, daily air shows, and events that make it one heck of a weekend. The large number of aircraft arrivals and departures during the fly-in week makes the Wittman Field FAA control tower the busiest in the world for that week in number of movements. To accommodate the huge flow of aircraft around the airport and the nearby airspace, a special NOTAM is published each year, choreographing the normal and emergency procedures to follow. More than 4,000 volunteers contribute approximately 250,000 hours before, during and after the event.

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    Related image

    What to do, what to do

    Want to take a ride in a B-17 flying fortress? Wanna see daily and nightly Airshows with the best pilots our country has to offer? The list of attractions and events the convention puts on is pretty immense. Depending on your level of aircraft interest and skill level, you can do just about anything your heart desires. Attend a workshop on flying during the day and see a nightly concert in the evening. Because the convention has grown to such a massive scale and consist of the largest accumulation of wealth in the country, many companies such as Boeing and Ford unveil new prototypes and have incredible exhibits. If you have the means, we recommend you fly your plane to the airport and campout under the moon and stars next your plane for the week.

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    Image result for oshkosh air show

    Related image

    Summary

    If you have any interest in aviation and/or flight, this is a must attend event for you. Most people who attend Oshkosh Airshow for the first time, go back every single year because of the massive scale of planes and event to see. The event is almost always held during the last week of July in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There has been some talk or relocating the convention to accommodate the insane number of visitors but for now it’s held at the Wittman Regional Airport. Wheels up, y’all!

  • Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    If you rely on Medicare for your health care, you might have found that Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For those on a fixed income, it can be extremely difficult to afford medication or any additional health care costs not covered by Medicare.

    If you are in a difficult situation where the health care bills are piling up, consider Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Medicare Supplemental Insurance is insurance that can help cover what Medicare doesn’t. We analyzed several plans with our experts and today we are breaking down the Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance!

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Information About Supplemental Insurance

    An important note: in order to get supplemental insurance, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Part A covers inpatient, and Part B covers outpatient care. Anoter factor to consider is Supplemental insurance only covers one person. Additionally, as long as you’re paying your premiums, Medicare supplemental  insurance can’t drop you, no matter what medical issues you may begin to suffer from.

    Supplemental insurance won’t always cover everything Medicare doesn’t.  Supplemental insurance is not going to cover all expenses. Things like vision, dental, prescriptions, long term care and private nursing are also not typically covered. Finally,  supplemental insurance must be acquired within the first sixth months of you turning 65 and you must already be on Medicare to qualify.

    United Healthcare Insurance Company

    The United Healthcare Insurance Company is endorsed by the AARP, and for good reason. This company offers a great deal of benefits for those on Medicare. They have a 94 percent user satisfaction, which is stellar. They also offer coverage that can be combined with a Medicare Part D plan. Those with this policy can visit any doctor that accepts Medicare! United Healthcare allows you to choose from a wide variety of plans, coverage, deductibles and benefits so you have coverage to fit your health needs and your financial situation.

    State Farm

    State Farm is another option for supplemental insurance. State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare, helping to pay deductibles, coinsurance and copayment amounts not covered by Medicare. State Farm also provides you the flexibility to choose between different plans to meet your individual needs and budget. They are a well-respected agency and are renowned for their high customer satisfaction ratings “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There” tagline is very true. State Farm insurance might be able to cover hospital or medical services your Medicare won’t pay for as well.

    Humana

    Humana offers Medicare supplemental insurance that covers Medicare Part A and B. Humana’s policy covers coinsurance for medical expenses, co pays, hospice care and hospitalization, skilled nursing facility care, and blood work. Additionally, the Humana plan also covers copayments for outpatient services. Remember, this is in addition to your Medicare coverage, so getting this extra coverage could save you a lot of money when you have expensive outpatient services. Particularly if you have frequent doctor’s visits, you may find yourself saving a ton with this supplementary policy.


  • Best Treatments for Arthritis

    Best Treatments for Arthritis

    Arthritis is a serious issue for people of varying ages. There are many types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, which affects the bones, to rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder. While the joints in the shoulder, elbow and wrist are commonly afflicted, the disease can occur in a variety of joints throughout the body. Today, we’re looking at some of the best treatments for arthritis.

    Best Treatments for Arthritis

    arthritis

    Pain Relievers

    As silly as it might sound, normal NSAIDs are a very common and useful tool for treating arthritis symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medicine can help to easy the ache of constantly inflamed joints. Aspirin and ibuprofen are commonly taken in the earliest stages of the disease to great effect. In the initial stages of the disease, these alone may be enough to lessen symptoms and ease the burden for many suffering with arthritis.

    Steroids

    Those who suffer from extreme arthritis pain should talk to their doctor about steroid injections. Steroid injections must be prescribed by a doctor and performed by a medical professional. Steroid treatments stop inflammation and help warped bones and connective tissue stop hurting. They also pose serious health threats if used improperly.

    Always follow the instructions of your doctor when being prescribed treatments. Steroid treatments won’t be for everyone, but they may be right for you. Consult your doctor about the possibility of undergoing steroid treatments for your arthritis.

    Biologics

    Another common treatment for arthritis is oral medication containing biologics. Such medications work with your body to help slow the spread of arthritis. While these medicines are far from being a cure, they do help to slow the disease and stop the rapid degeneration it can cause. Doctors are prescribing this type of medication more often recently due to its high success rate.

    If you are in advanced stages of arthritis, biologics might still be helpful in slowing the disease. If you’ve caught arthritis a bit early, biologics can help to significantly slow its progress and buy you more time.

  • Tech Throwback: Madden 94

    Tech Throwback: Madden 94

    Its that time of the week I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where I’m going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. I’m going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some were ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today and this week it’s all about Madden, let’s go back, not to the beginning, but to where it all really started, Madden 94.

    John Madden Football. Madden, for short. Video game fans everywhere are familiar with Madden, regardless of whether they’re sports video game fans or not. Once a year, for the past 30 years and counting, a new Madden game hits store shelves and sells millions of units. There are Madden tournaments broadcast on television. Retail stores open at midnight to sell the game to eager players. Madden, more than any other sports video game in the United States, is a phenomenon.

     The New New Madden 94

    Madden 94 was the break out year, not just is popularity but Madden Football ’94 improves significantly off the first Madden game for the SNES and Genesis. Rather than being a jerky mess, this actually has a decent frame rate, and it makes defense work a bit better. Though largely made obsolete after subsequent versions, it was an outstanding football game for the time. In a mega addition this is the first version to get NFL licensing, meaning you can finally play with your team and real players. More on this below

    The ’94-’95 seasons for EA Sports’ franchise were largely innovated by numerous gameplay features like a battery-save feature and perspective-switching of the camera for kickoffs, punts, and turnovers. Nonetheless, the most important addition to the series can be seen in the title: the NFL license.

    Teams but No Numbers, I Know Who #32 is

    Acquiring the official licensing for teams and players brought the excitement of professional football to gaming like never before. In fact, Madden NFL ’94 was the first game to use the iconic EA Sports tagline, “It’s in the Game.” Although there were some bugs involved, like the Giants/Jets rosters being swapped, this season was huge for Madden and EA Sports.

    Madden ’94 does not feature the names of the players but does have the roster of each team by jersey number. You can still play as your favorite football player from the 1993 season (remember that each Madden title is a year ahead) although the players do not have any certain visible characteristics that set them apart from other players.

    While you can tell who you are playing as by the number highlighted under the character that you selected. The characters on the screen are only identifiable by the color of their team’s jersey. Madden ’94 is played in an angled top down view behind the offensive team. You get plenty of time to choose a play and can even run audibles to change the lineup if your opponent seems to have your number on the other side.

    Playing Madden 94 Again

    I powered up the old Sega Genesis I got my nephews to get hands on with Madden 94 again. I spent all of 1995 sick, battling cancer and recovering while playing Madden 94. My best friend at the time would spend almost all out of school time hanging out and playing me in Madden. He would die in an car accident just a year later. To say This game truly has a special place in my heart is an understatement. Its one that I forgot about or possibly blocked out until the very second it powered on.

    The muscle memory instantly kicks in and I know the navigation through the menus like it’s an instinct. I grew up a Raiders fan and that is the only team I would play with.. Today is no different.  I jump right in to play a season and take Da Raiders to the Bowl. I played an entire season in one night, smiles and tears and enjoying every moment of it. They were all here, all my little digital friend with the big heart. Just battling it out for a super bowl in 32 bits. A truly joyus,amazing and much needed replay.

    The Final Thought

    All emotions aside there is not much that really detracts from Madden ’94. I was certainly pleased with how much was put into this game with a full season. Plus the using passwords to keep your progress and the inclusion of playoff and championship modes, choice. You can do everything in Madden ’94 except create your own team or a do a draft. You can expect to find just about everything else in this game though. They even included an option to turn off John Madden’s commentary, and for that you became a legend.

  • Expert Insight: These Are The Top Medical Alert Systems of 2019

    Expert Insight: These Are The Top Medical Alert Systems of 2019

    You and your loved ones deserve the fastest and most reliable emergency help in the event of a fall, stroke, or heart attack . We’ve researched, reviewed, and ranked the best medical alert systems on the market to provide your family with the ultimate protection and peace of mind. The top 5 medical alert systems of 2019!

    Our expert staff compared the most important factors seniors and their families consider in a medical alert system and highlighted the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, of each medical alert company.

    5. Bay Alarm Medical

    With pricing plans that fit any budget and over seven decades of proven customer service, Bay Alarm Medical is a premiere medical alert provider that you can trust.  We’re very impressed with Bay Alarm Medical’s overall service offering. Very affordable pricing and a wide variety of services that make them our #1 rated medical alert system for 2019.

    • Most popular choice – $19.95/mo
    • 1000+ Google Reviews
    • 30-day risk-free trial
    • Ultra-fast response times
    • Best refund policy.
    • No hidden fees or contracts

    4. Mobile Help

    MobileHelp is a highly recommended medical alert company that manufacturers all of their devices in-house. Choose MobileHelp if you want the latest in medical alert technology.  If you’re looking for the latest medical alert technology, MobileHelp is a highly recommended provider. Very good buying experience, low pressure sales, and a good choice of device options that will fit your loved one’s protection needs.

    • Robust in-home and gps offerings
    • Two buttons included with purchase
    • Best in class mobile gps devices
    • Free lockbox with every order
    • No hidden fees or contracts

    3. Life Station

    For years, LifeStation has delivered trustworthy, 24/7 medical monitoring. The starting price is affordable and their service has been proven to be dependable and reliable. LifeStation is a very reputable company that’s been around for quite a long time. They don’t have the prestige or testimonials like our higher ranked providers have but when the button is pushed, you can be sure help will arrive.

    • Many years of experience
    • In-house USA monitoring
    • Reliable service
    • Reliable equipment

    2. Medical Alert

    Medical Alert delivers trustworthy 24/7 medical monitoring. Shipping is free and their service is dependable and reliable. The alert buttons are light and have a long lasting battery. If you’re looking for reliable and simple in-home system, these guys fit the bill.  As a plus, Medical Alert provides monitoring services outside of the USA.

    • BBB A+ with many years of experience
    • Recommended for customers outside of USA
    • Trusted and reliable service

    1. Get Safe

    Beautiful, modern aesthetics in an easy-to-use package. GetSafe combines senior medical alert monitoring with a splash of home security for added peace of mind.  GetSafe differentiates itself in the aesthetics department. From the website to the packaging and to the device, customer experience is at the forefront of this brand. You’ll get beautiful looking hardware, an easy to setup user experience, and a package that doesn’t scream “help i’ve fallen”. We feel that GetSafe has done a great job by creating a medical alert ecosystem that delivers on ease of use and functionality. Automatic fall detection, voice-enabled wall buttons, and monitored smoke alarms are also available as add-ons. Pricing starts at $29.95 and although a little pricier than other brands, we feel the added benefits are worth the cost.

    • 50-state licensed
    • Great modern-looking hardware
    • 4GLTE Cellular for homes without landlines
    • Free wi-fi indoor hd camera

  • 7 Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

    7 Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

    When you discover that a friend or family member has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it often comes as a huge surprise to you. But secrecy is the drug on which addiction thrives, so it’s not really that odd that you were in the dark.

    Addiction grows worse over a sustained period of time, and there are some indicators that may give you an idea something is wrong with your loved one before the bottom falls out.  Here are the 7 signs and symptoms of addiction you should look for if you suspect someone you love has a problem with drugs or alcohol.

    7. Change in Behavior

    As people’s addictions get bigger, their lives start to change and the things that they value the most begin to fall away. Depression sets in, and suddenly they stop doing activities or hobbies that they once loved, or maybe their mood becomes erratic. An example of a change in behavior that’s worth noting would be when a person who values health and fitness abruptly stops exercising or eating well.

    6. Change in Friends

    This sign isn’t always the easiest area to recognize, because it’s fairly normal for friendships to fade and new people come into our lives. But when normally social people stop hanging around with their usual group of friends with no explanation, it’s important to take notice — especially if there wasn’t an event that precipitated the change. Or, maybe there’s a new person in their life that just doesn’t seem to be someone they would normally be friends with. This can be a telltale sign that something funky is going on.

    5. Job/Career Issues

    When addiction takes hold, inevitably some issues are going to come up at work or school. Over time, addicts becomes less capable of hiding performance flaws in areas of their lives that are under the microscope. If a normally responsible person is missing deadlines or not following through on commitments, this could be an indicator that something’s up.

    4. Legal Issues

    Addiction is likely to create a bevy of legal issues that are going to make it hard to ignore that something is going on. A DUI or getting thrown in the clink for a drunk and disorderly is an obvious tell that your loved one’s judgment is off. But there are also less obvious signs, like doctor shopping or frequenting ER rooms. And addicts can justify their behavior so that they make you feel foolish for asking why they have so many doctor appointments. But if you think something’s wrong, go ahead and ask anyway.

    3. Family Strain

    Relationships with family are often jeopardized when people develop an affinity for drugs or alcohol. Early on, it may reveal itself in behaviors like retreating to their room after work or spending too much time with their face in the computer, playing games or surfing the Web. Communications become strained, and the addict stops showing up to family engagements, or maybe even to dinner. If you feel a substantial shift in your relationship with a family member, you should start asking questions.

    2. Physical Changes

    Extreme physical changes are a big indicator of a problem. Maybe they’re getting scraggly and smelly because they’ve stopped grooming or showering.  A noticeable weight loss or gain can be a symptom, and the same goes for a change in eating and sleeping habits. For example, crystal meth addicts can stay up for days, then crash and sleep for days. When they eat, they’re likely to ravenously consume sugary foods.

    1. Personality Changes

    In an adult brain, defined as a brain that’s 24 years or older, there are really only three things that are likely to cause a profound personality change in someone. Substance abuse or chemical dependency, mental illness and or a physical ailment, such as a brain tumor are the three things that can cause a profound personality change. Mind you, this isn’t the same as watching a person get a little down in the dumps, or go through a period of anxiety. Profound personality changes are much more extreme. If you witness this, it’s advised to reach out to a professional for guidance and counseling on how to address your loved one.