When someone unfamiliar with addiction thinks of an addict they usually think of the stereotypical “drug addict” made out by the government of the 1970’s. They think of a criminal who is noticeably using some sort of substance to where they cannot even speak, stand, or walk. However, that is not always the case. With time people have began to understand that addiction can and does affect anyone and everyone. It can be the suburban soccer mom addicted to her child’s adderall, the “pristine” high school student addicted to cocaine to stay awake studying, or the retired grandparent who broke a hip last year and is now addicted to painkillers. Chemical Dependency is a disease that does not see age, sex, race, religion, or economic status. It is a chronic and progressive disease, and if untreated, it can be fatal. Before addiction there are usually signs of abuse. Leann how to spot those warning signs and how to spot addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse and Addiction
Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse include the following. They start neglecting their responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting their children) because of your drug use. They use drugs under dangerous conditions or take risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex. Their drug use is getting them into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit. Their drug use is causing problems in their relationships, such as fights with their partner or family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends. Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction include the following. They’ve built up a drug tolerance. They need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects they used to with smaller amounts. They take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If they go too long without drugs, they experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety. They’ve lost control over their drug use. They often do drugs or use more than they planned, even though they told themselves they wouldn’t. They may want to stop using, but they feel powerless. Their life revolves around drug use. They spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drug’s effects. They’ve abandoned activities they used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of their drug use. Learn how to spot addiction by identifying these signs and symptoms.
Addiction Warning Signs
There are typical physical signs of drugs addiction, including the following. Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual. Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain. Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming habits. Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing. Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination. Falling asleep in the middle of a conversation. Unexplained ‘picking’ sores on face and body. There are usual psychological signs of drugs addiction which include the following. Unexplained change in personality or attitude. Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts. Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness. Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out.” Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason. Disappears for days at a time with no plausible excuse. There are also typical behavioral signs substance abuse and can help you to learn how to spot addiction. Drop in attendance and performance at work or school. Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get it. Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors. Speech is confusing or illogical, dishonesty with even mundane things. Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies. Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities). Each drug has specific signs and paraphernalia.
Signs of Marijuana Use
Marijuana is usually smoked but as it has become more and more popular, making it more difficult to learn how to spot addiction to marijuana. There are also many new ways to use the drug and has become more readily available. When it is smoked it can be rolled into a “joint,” similar to how tobacco is in a cigarette, some users make “blunts” by opening up cigars, taking out the tobacco, and replacing it with marijuana. Joints and blunts can also be laced with other drugs such as PCP or cocaine. There are also pipes sometimes called “pieces” that users can smoke it out of and bongs. It can also be mixed with food to create edibles such as hard candies, cookies, brownies, candy bars, or brewed as tea. Hashish or hash can be found in flat cakes, amber or brown oil in small glass bottles.
Signs of Ecstasy Use
If you are worried a family member or loved one may be using ecstasy, they may not be honest about the use or admit to having an addiction. Most ecstasy is consumed at large raves, concerts, or festivals as a party drug. You may have to look for signs and symptoms of the drug abuse. Looking for the pills is probably the easiest. Other things may be unawareness of pain, irregular sleeping schedule, exaggerated pleasure from touch, and overly sensitive to music or lights. Learning how to spot addiction to ecstasy can help save a life.
Signs of Methamphetamine Use
Methamphetamine addiction is usually easy to identify especially if it is someone you are close with such as a loved one or family member. They typically have specific behaviors and look a particular way. Most meth users will go through the binging, tweaking, and crashing stages. If you notice your loved one having high levels of energy for an extended period of time followed by long periods of sleep, this is a big clue that they are abusing meth. They may also be overheating which causes them to sweat even if they haven’t done anything physical or it is cold. They may be paranoid or hallucinating. The meth will cause the user to lose their appetite resulting in rapid weight loss and their skin may develop sores from them picking at themselves. As mentioned before confronting a user while they are tweaking is dangerous especially if they do not want to get clean, so approach the situation with caution. Learning how to spot addiction to meth can be the first step in helping someone find effective dual-diagnosis treatment.
Signs of Opioid Use
Opioids can be bought illegally but abuse usually starts with a prescription. Since these can be prescribed sometimes it is difficult to realize if a loved one is addicted and can be hard to learn how to spot addiction. It may be that all they can think about is how they are going to get more and stopping use causes withdrawal symptoms. They may start stealing medications, buying the medication from someone else or off the street, or “doctor shopping,” visiting multiple doctors complaining about pain so they get multiple prescriptions.
Signs of Hallucinogens Use
Most but not all users are under the age of 21. They may be used as “club drugs,” similar to ketamine or ecstasy, or for religious reasons. They may have paraphernalia lying around or the drug. While they are using the drug they particularly mellow or relaxed, fixated on inanimate objects, hallucinations, extreme terror, severe mood changes. They may not sleep or eat while on the drug. If you or someone you know is addicted to using hallucinogens, it’s important to get them the help they need before any self harm or harm to others happens.
Signs of Alcohol Addiction
Since alcohol is legal and often expected at certain gatherings or celebrations it is sometimes difficult to notice when someone you love or yourself has become addicted to or dependent on it. Learning how to spot addiction to alcohol can be tricky. Alcoholism and alcohol addiction is classified by cravings and the inability to stop drinking even if it has caused personal and social harm. If consuming alcohol has interfered with work, school, or other activities because they are hung over or want/need to drink it has become a problem. Other signs to look out for are that they start drinking early in the day, stay drunk for a long time, or drink alone and give up activities and relationships that used to be important to drink. They cannot control how much or when they drink and rely on alcohol to relieve stress or solve problems. They may have tried to stop drinking but cannot. They will also have withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and feel anxious or sick. High-functioning alcoholics are in their own classification because they keep their alcoholism from interfering with their professional and personal lives. They usually will not admit to or notice a problem until faced with severe alcohol-related consequences. This is dangerous because they can continue using alcohol for years without ever recognizing a problem.
Intervention
We’ve all heard that addicts “have to want” sobriety. But if that person is close to you it is hard to sit and wait until they’re ready. Intervention is a planned, structured process that steers the non-compliant prospective patient towards help and treatment. A trained professional with the help of friends and family facilitate the whole process. The interventionist then works out arrangements for admission to a facility and can accompany them to the treatment center.
Are you in need of addiction treatment?
Recovery Ways, the premier drug rehab near Ogden Utah, can help you or a loved one find the best addiction treatment available. Our admissions coordinators can review your insurance benefits and find the best level of care for your needs. If you are ready to make the change and live a life free from addiction, please call 1-888-986-7848.
