Telltale Signs of Drug abuse

Are you worried that a loved one (or even yourself) is suffering from drug abuse or addiction? Addiction is common and drug use has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting more and more people at risk of this debilitating condition. If you’ve noticed that someone in your life has changed and you’re not sure why, addiction might be the culprit. Before you confront them, though, it’s helpful to know some of the clear signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder. We’re here to explain. Keep reading to learn the signs of drug abuse and addiction so you can help your loved one begin their recovery journey.

Withdrawing From Friends and Family

One of the first and most obvious signs that someone is dealing with a substance use disorder is that they begin to withdraw from friends and family members (sometimes even their children). They may begin to only hang out with a small group of friends who enable or even contribute to their addiction. There are several reasons that this may happen. First, some people recognize that they’re managing alcohol and drug addiction. This awareness may lead them to feel shameful and embarrassed around people that they love. They don’t want their “secret” to get out and they aren’t aware that it’s obvious to others. They may also lose interest in hanging out with friends and family members if they begin to prioritize drugs and alcohol. They won’t want to spend as much time with someone who doesn’t feed their addiction.

Struggling With School or Work

People who manage addiction often struggle with their responsibilities. Between constant drug use and withdrawal symptoms, they may not be able to focus on the things that they need to do. They can start missing work or school because these things are no longer priorities for them. This can even happen with outside responsibilities, like taking care of the home or even taking care of pets.

Quitting Hobbies and Passions

On a similar note, people who are managing a substance use disorder may not even be interested in things that they enjoy. People who use alcohol and drugs do so for the way they activate pleasure receptors in the brain. As they become addicted to their substance of choice, it becomes harder and harder to trigger those pleasure receptors. This is why they need to use more and more of that substance. This also means that normal activities no longer trigger those receptors the same way, even if they used to. The effect isn’t as obvious.

Physical Signs

One clear way to identify if someone is dealing with drug addiction (rather than another mental health concern) is that they display signs of drug use or withdrawal. These vary from person to person and the substance. For people deep into their addictions, they may show signs of withdrawal several hours after using. In general, people who are going through withdrawal start to have mood changes (often irritability). They may have shakes or tremors, have extreme headaches, or display flu symptoms. In serious situations, they may experience hallucinations or even seizures. Physical signs of drug use can include bloody noses, bloodshot eyes, extreme weight loss or gain, slurred speech, and twitchiness. They may talk faster or slower than normal.

Being Unable to Stop Drinking or Using

Most people, when they drink or use drugs casually, are able to stop when they choose to. The average person can have a single glass of wine with dinner or a few drinks with friends and then stop when they feel they’ve reached their limit. While it’s not abnormal for someone to have the occasional binge drinking experience, the average person will recognize that this was a bad experience and avoid it in the future. People who have substance use disorders are different. They aren’t able to stop when the night is supposed to be over. Even if they’ve volunteered to be designated drivers, they may still find themselves going over their limits. They’re likely to continue using the substance until they pass out or go to bed. They’re prone to blackouts and not remembering their behavior. This is also true for people who started using drugs under the watchful eye of a doctor. Someone with an opiate addiction may struggle to stop taking the medication after their pain is gone.

Risky Behavior

Speaking of behavior, people who have substance use disorders are more likely to involve themselves in risk-taking behavior while they’re using. It’s common for these people to drive under the influence instead of calling for a ride home. They may make the excuse that they’re “better drivers” when they’re under the influence. People who abuse drugs may engage in unsafe sex and dangerous physical activities while they’re under the influence. They may be more likely to get into physical altercations.

Changes in Personal Hygiene and Appearance

As we mentioned before, people who struggle with drug addiction also struggle with their responsibilities. This can extend to personal responsibilities, like personal hygiene or otherwise taking care of their physical appearance. If someone stops caring about how they look, this is a sign of a mental health problem (which may be an addiction). Regardless of whether or not substance abuse is the problem, it shows that the person needs some kind of help or intervention.

Have You Noticed These Signs of Drug Abuse?

Some early signs of drug abuse are subtle. If you notice one or multiple of these signs in a loved one, it might be time to seek help and have an open conversation. If you notice them in yourself, it’s time to talk to a mental health professional and consider treatment. If you’re ready to start seeking treatment in southern California, we’re here for you. At Akasha recovery, our empathetic team wants to help you or your loved one on a healing journey. Contact us to talk to our admissions team today.