Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse
Knowing the signs and symptoms of drug abuse is an important part of being able to help an individual struggling with addiction to get help and achieve sobriety. There are many different drugs of abuse, ranging from over-the-counter cold remedies to cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines. Depending on the substance, the symptoms of abuse vary widely between different drugs, but they all result in similar unmanageability in life when a user becomes addicted.
The following article will describe some common signs and symptoms of drug abuse and what to look for if you suspect someone of being addicted to drugs.
Drug addiction can effect anyone, and its onset can be gradual or immediate depending on multiple factors including the individual, the drug, and manner of abuse. When drug abuse is taking place, addiction is an inevitable next step, so being able to recognize the signs of an oncoming addiction can make the difference that saves a life. Although various substances create different effects in users, the disease of addiction is the same, no matter what the substance is.
Signs of Addiction
Withdrawal family and friends
Justifying greater amounts or a higher frequency of use
Hiding use of a substance/lying about use of a substance
Change in friends, associates, and activities
Problems with the law
Significant problems at work
Physical decay/bad hygiene
Poor decision making - placing oneself in dangerous situations
Lack of responsibility and trustworthiness
While addiction signs can be blatantly obvious at first, some can struggle with addiction for multiple years before their problems become evident to themselves or others. Depending on the person and their own history with substance abuse and addiction, it may not been apparent that there is a problem. However, there are certain signs of drug or alcohol abuse that cannot be hidden and are almost always sure signs of abuse and addiction.
Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction
Feeling a need to use in order to be normal
Constantly thinking about getting more of the substance
Spending more time, energy and money on obtaining more of the substance
Engaging in irresponsible and dangerous activities while under the influence
Performing dangerous and uncharacteristic acts to get money or resources for the substance
Most addicts will say they never wanted to be the way they are, stealing, prostituting, scamming, and in constant pain over their dependence on a drug. Addicts are powerless over their addiction in every way and when an individual begins to do things they would never do under normal circumstances, far too often, addiction is holding them hostage. Aside from the internal changes a drug user experiences, there are physical signs that are very easy to recognize. The key to this recognition is knowing the effects of these various drugs on the brain and body, then looking for the outward signs of these effects. Read More......