Author: Charles Frank
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Most people are not going to be very public about their drug use, especially if it’s to an illegal substance. You may notice your loved one is lying about where they are or who they’re with. Maybe their story keeps changing, and they can never seem to be honest about what they’ve been up to. They may try to sneak in or out of the house, try to hide their drugs in their room or car, and they may spend more time alone in their room with the door locked. They may also choose to spend more time than usual away from home to hide their use.
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Opioid painkillers
Because of the ups and downs involved with drug abuse, you may notice that this person is showing more depressive side effects, especially when they’re coming down from a high. They may choose to sleep all the time or not want to do anything that requires them to be out of reach of their drug. They may be depressed when they are not high or start to look at themselves negatively. Some drugs will suppress appetite while others may cause rapid weight gain. If you notice that your loved one’s weight has changed without explanation, it could mean that they have begun to regularly use addictive substances. If you’re not ready to approach a health care provider or mental health professional, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment.
People use cannabis by smoking, eating or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried. Addiction—to prescription and street drugs and alcohol —is a serious problem. If you’re worried that you or a loved one may have an addiction, there are signs to help you know. If your loved one suddenly has unexplained bruises, scars, or other marks, they might be using drugs.
Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins when they take prescribed medicines or receive them from others who have prescriptions. These side effects can hinder your loved one’s performance at work or school. Your loved one may also struggle to keep up with basic household chores, such as cleaning and cooking. Repeated drug use can overload the brain with dopamine, causing the body to produce less dopamine naturally.
Behavioral Signs of Drug Abuse
Treatment may also include overall wellness and alternative therapy programs including nutrition, exercise, meditation, art or music therapy, and more. Lack of interest in activities, mood swings, and other drug-related behavioral changes may take a toll on your loved one’s social life. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. If someone you love one displays these warning signs, please reach out to Ohio Recovery Center.
- For example, stimulant drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription amphetamines can cause insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep).
- These side effects can hinder your loved one’s performance at work or school.
- There may also be no drive to complete work or perform how they once did, especially if work-related stress is what led to substance abuse in the first place.
- Over time, drug use alters the chemical and functional structures of the brain.
Our inpatient addiction treatment programs offer medical detox, mental health counseling, and other evidence-based services to help your loved one stay drug-free. Many people who live with drug abuse and addiction struggle to focus on anything besides drugs. That’s why they often neglect their physical health, including their personal hygiene. For instance, they might have body odor, unkempt hair, unbrushed teeth, or dirty clothes. Many people struggling with addiction cannot support healthy relationships because their priority is drug use.
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A liquid form can be vaporized in electronic cigarettes. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products. These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative. Two groups of synthetic drugs — synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known.
We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness. We want to give recovering addicts the tools to return to the outside world completely substance-free and successful. They may also develop other withdrawal symptoms depending on their body and the type of drugs they used.
Similarly, if your loved one is using meth, they may develop meth mites. This term refers to a meth-induced hallucination that bugs are crawling on or under the skin. To get rid of this sensation, your loved one may scratch themselves excessively, leaving scars and scabs. Many people struggling with an addiction have some interaction with the law at some point in their life. This may be because they got caught in possession of a drug, they were selling it, or they may drive while intoxicated and hurt someone. People who inject drugs will have marks or small wounds, usually on their arms.
Changes in the brain
They’re often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to “switch off” or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings. For instance, if your loved one uses stimulants, they may seem excited one moment and extremely fearful the next. Similarly, if your loved one uses depressants, they may experience symptoms of depression such as hopelessness, fatigue, and irritability. We’d love the opportunity to help you during this overwhelming and difficult process. The Summit Wellness Group is located in Georgia and all of your calls will be directed to one of our local staff members.
Drug abuse is a very serious problem with far-reaching consequences. There are some characteristic behavioral and physical signs of drug abuse as well as signs that are specific to abuse of different classes of drugs. Drug abuse is damaging to individuals, to their physical and mental health, to their futures, and to their relationships with families and loved ones. If your loved one is experiencing withdrawal or overdose symptoms, there is a good chance that they may be struggling with addiction. Seeking medical attention is critical in these situations, even if you are unsure of what they’ve taken or if they’re even using drugs. Knowing what withdrawal symptoms and overdose symptoms look like may save your loved one’s life.
They may be deceitful and behave in suspicious ways. They often let drug use get in the way of their relationships with friends, family members, and romantic partners. Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties.
As a result, your loved one may struggle to feel motivated without drugs. They may then start neglecting their responsibilities at work, school, or home. Both illegal and prescription drugs can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. For example, stimulant drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription amphetamines can cause insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep).
Signs That Someone Is On Drugs
This serious disease makes you feel unable to stop using drugs. It is currently estimated that about 10% of adults struggle with a substance abuse disorder. A large majority of those adults never seek treatment.
They may especially become defensive if you ask them about drugs or addiction. Increased drug abuse can lead to anxiety or paranoia, especially if the drug has left their system and they are experiencing withdrawal. Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug.