Signs-Symptoms
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Substance abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own signs-symptoms of abuse, dependence and addiction. Even when they know they have a problem, drug abusers often try to downplay their drug use and conceal their symptoms. If you suspect that a friend or loved one is abusing drugs, there are a number of warning
signs you can look for... SOCIAL: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction - Changing several friends or changing peer groups
- Suddenly popular with friends who are older and unknown to family
- Becoming involved with peers when formerly isolated from peers
- More frequent phone calls
- Social activities occurring more often, sometimes at odd hours
- Thrill seeking behaviors - evidenced by law breaking, promiscuity
(pregnancy)
and other dangerous physical situations
FAMILY: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction- Isolation from family members (hiding in room, locking bedroom door, and avoiding family activities)
- Exhibiting negative attitude toward rules and parents
- Failing to follow through on promises
- Sneaking out of the house
- Becoming manipulative
- Lying
SCHOOL: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse
and Addiction - Lacking motivation and lower grades
- Sleeping in class
- Skipping class or school
- Dropping out of school activities
- Becoming disrespectful of teachers, administrators, and rules
- Frequently being disciplined
- Suspended or Expelled
PHYSICAL: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction - Smelling of alcohol, marijuana, or stale smoke
- Frequent minor illnesses (headaches, nausea, slight tremors, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, sluggishness)
- Neglects taking prescribed medications or takes more medications than usual
- Memory lapses
- Weight changes or unusual eating patterns (types of foods, amounts, time of day)
- Frequent use of eye drops for bloodshot eyes
- Change in normal sleep patterns (frequent naps)
- Injuries occurring more often
- Frequent infections or infections which don't heal
- More frequent complaints of pain or illness
LEGAL: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction - Shoplifting or stealing from family members
- Unruly behaviors like skipping school and not following family rules
- Incidents or charges for public intoxication,
DUI,
vandalism, breaking and entering, underage alcohol/tobacco use
- Involved in car accidents or near misses
- Selling drugs
EMOTIONAL: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction - Impaired judgment (putting self in dangerous situations)
- Talking about or attempting
suicide
- Violent or threatening (verbally or physically)
- Lethargic or apathetic
- Mood swings
- Burned Out
- Operating at an inappropriate maturity level
OTHER: Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction - Poor management of money
- Spending large sums of money and asking for money
- Having drug paraphernalia in bedroom or school locker
- Reading drug oriented magazines
- Wearing drug oriented clothing and accessories
- Using drug slang, talking about drugs
Many people who don't think of themselves as drug abusers can become dependent on chemical substances, either legal or illegal. A common thread that runs through all drug abusers is loss of control.
What are the effects of drug abuse? - Signs-Symptoms In addition to lifestyle changes, drug abuse can have serious short-term and long-term medical effects, such as; - Dangerous heart rate increase and/or blood pressure
- Hepatitis or AIDS through shared needles
- Sleeplessness and tremors
- Liver, lung, and kidney impairment
- Sudden death (from misuse of
inhalants,
heart attack or stroke)
DRUG WITHDRAWAL - Signs-Symptoms of Drug Abuse and AddictionDrug withdrawal refers to the signs-symptoms
that appear when a drug that causes physical dependence (used regularly for a long time) is
suddenly discontinued or decreased in dosage. Drug withdrawal symptoms can vary significantly
among individuals, but there are some commonalities; If the withdrawal is extreme enough, it could drive the individual to continue the drug despite significant harm to themselves or even to
suicide.
Addiction should be carefully distinguished from physical dependence. Addiction is a psychological compulsion to use a drug despite harm that often persists long after all physical
withdrawal symptoms have faded away. Physical dependence (or drug dependence) refers to a state resulting from habitual use of a drug, where negative physical withdrawal symptoms result from abrupt discontinuation. Symptoms include; - increased heart rate and/or blood pressure
- sweating and tremors are common signs of withdrawal.
Also, the length and the degree of an addiction can directly relate to the severity of the withdrawal. More serious symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and visual hallucinations indicate a serious emergency and the need for immediate medical care. What should you do if you suspect drug abuse or addiction in yourself or others? Both drug abuse and drug addiction can be successfully treated, but the
treatment
process is much easier and much more likely to be successful if it is started early. So don't delay. You can and should
intercede
as soon as you suspect drug abuse. To start the process, you can get information leading to help for yourself or a loved one from your physician and here on this Recovery Network website. Many resources appear in the listings below, including: Today's
treatment programs
offer organized and structured services with individual, group, and family therapy for people with drug abuse problems. Research shows that when appropriate treatment is given and when a prescribed program is followed, treatment can work.
Prescription Drugs
Illegal Drugs
Generation Rx
Addiction Bible Scriptures
Intervention
Drug Rehab
Christian Rehab
12 Step Program
There are addiction treatment centers available for substance users to recover from their chemical dependency.
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