Medically Reviewed

The Signs of Drug Abuse

Signs of Drug Addiction and Calling for Help

Drug addiction is a serious issue that affects individuals and communities worldwide. Identifying the signs of drug addiction is crucial to providing timely intervention and support.

What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is an enduring and progressive brain condition characterized by relapse and the uncontrollable urge to use drugs. Individuals addicted to drugs typically start by experimenting with drug use. Over time, they develop a tolerance, requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effects.

Once addiction takes hold, individuals feel compelled to use drugs despite experiencing negative consequences in various aspects of their lives, including work, finances, physical health, mental well-being, emotions, and relationships.

Usually, those battling drug addiction become both physically and mentally dependent on a specific drug or combination of drugs. Withdrawal symptoms arise when they attempt to quit, often leading them to continue drug use instead of seeking help and pursuing recovery.

Understanding Drug Addiction

Identifying drug addiction or alcohol misuse can be challenging if you don’t know the signs. Substance use disorders can change how people look, act, and feel; the symptoms can be physical, behavioral, or psychological.

Around 10% of Americans struggle with substance abuse, but not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol has a problem. Understanding the signs of addiction is the first step in getting help. Thankfully, many addiction characteristics are easy to spot, and different drug addictions often have similar signs. Recognizing these symptoms can make it easier to support a friend or family member dealing with this disease.

Who Is at Risk?

The symptoms of drug dependence, like the addiction itself, do not show favoritism. Individuals of all genders, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds can fall victim to addiction. Nevertheless, there are specific factors that heighten an individual’s likelihood of developing an addiction.

Hereditary Traits

There exists a genetic aspect to drug addiction. Research indicates that individuals with at least one close relative grappling with addiction are more susceptible to developing a drug dependency.

Poverty

Growing up or living in poverty increases the chances of addiction. People in lower socioeconomic brackets have less room for mistakes compared to wealthier individuals. While those in the middle or upper class can access therapy, rehabilitation, and legal help more easily, impoverished people don’t have the same opportunities.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Individuals battling mental health disorders face an increased vulnerability to addiction, whether it’s with legal or illicit substances. Mental health conditions can drive individuals to self-medicate, exacerbating the disorder itself. Consequently, treating a co-occurring condition of drug addiction and mental illness becomes more challenging.

Early Substance Use

Initiating drug use at an early age, particularly during adolescence when the brain is still developing, can increase the risk of addiction.

Peer Pressure

Being influenced by peers who engage in drug use or pressure to fit in socially can contribute to drug addiction.

Trauma and Stress

Experiencing traumatic events, abuse, or chronic stress can lead some individuals to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism, increasing the risk of addiction.

Lack of Family Support or Supervision

Limited parental involvement, poor family relationships, or inadequate support systems can contribute to a higher risk of addiction.

Easy Access to Drugs

Availability and easy access to drugs can increase the likelihood of addiction, particularly when individuals are exposed to these substances regularly.

How to Identify Whether Someone Is Using Drugs

If you suspect someone is using drugs, look for physical changes first, and then observe their behavior and psychological changes.

Physical Signs of Drug Addiction

There are a few physical signs of drug addiction:

  • Noticeable and significant changes in appearance and weight
  • Bloodshot or glazed eyes
  • Alterations in speech patterns, such as fast, erratic, and chatty or slow, slurred, and delayed speech
  • Disturbed sleep patterns, including excessive or insufficient sleep at irregular hours

Behavioral Signs of Drug Addiction

There are also behavioral signs that indicate drug addiction:

  • Manipulating loved ones for personal gain
  • Committing crimes to obtain money for drugs
  • Borrowing money that is never repaid
  • Neglecting personal and financial responsibilities
  • Exhibiting a distinct lack of control over drug consumption
  • Prioritizing drug use above work, family, relationships, friends, and personal well-being
  • Choosing isolation from family and friends
  • Displaying a lack of concern or consideration for others
  • Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Going missing or being unreachable for extended periods
  • Engaging in secretive behavior

Psychological Signs of Drug Addiction

Finally, look for these psychological signs of drug addiction:

  • Emotional withdrawal from loved ones
  • Loss of motivation
  • Personality changes
  • Development of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression
  • Feelings of indifference or lack of interest
  • Mood swings
  • Irritability

Signs of Drug Abuse/Addiction by Drug

The signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication can vary depending on the type of drug.

Marijuana

People use cannabis by smoking, eating, or inhaling it in vapor form. Cannabis is often used alongside alcohol or illegal drugs, and it is frequently the first drug people try. Signs of recent use can include:

  • Difficulty focusing or remembering things
  • Slower reaction times
  • Feelings of anxiety or paranoid thoughts
  • Cannabis smell on clothing or yellowish fingertips
  • Intense cravings for specific foods at unusual times.
  • Heightened perception of visuals, sounds, and taste
  • Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
  • Red eyes
  • Dry mouth
  • Feeling euphoric or experiencing a “high” sensation

Extended drug use is frequently linked to the following:

  • Poor academic or professional performance
  • Persistent cough and frequent respiratory infections
  • Declining cognitive abilities

Alcohol

When it comes to alcohol abuse, there are noticeable signs that might include:

  • Drowsiness
  • Awkwardness or unsteady movements
  • Speech difficulties, including slurring
  • Slower reflexes
  • Absent alcohol or diluted alcohol, indicating an attempt to replace the missing alcohol

Inhalants

Regarding inhalant use, the signs and symptoms can differ based on the substance involved. People often inhale substances like paint thinners, glue, marker fluids, gasoline, aerosols, and cleaning products found in households. However, it’s important to note that these substances are highly toxic and can lead to severe consequences, including brain damage or sudden death.

Here are some indications and manifestations of inhalant use:

  • Feeling dizzy and experiencing episodes of nausea or vomiting
  • Involuntary eye movements
  • Seeming under the influence of drugs, evident through slurred speech
  • Sluggish movements, and impaired coordination
  • Irregular heart rhythms
  • Unusual possession of inhalant substances without a valid explanation
  • Moments of fleeting euphoria and excitement
  • Behaving in a manner reminiscent of intoxication
  • Diminished capacity to control impulses
  • Displaying aggression or readiness to engage in fights
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Persistent scent of inhalant material
  • Developing a rash around the nose and mouth

Heroin and Prescription Opioids

Signs and symptoms of heroin and prescription opioids include:

  • Sniffling or coughing
  • Sweating or clammy skin
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Needle marks on arms, legs, or feet
  • Wearing long sleeves or pants to cover needle marks
  • Sleeping during the day
  • Loss of bowel movement regularity
  • Constricted pupils that do not respond to direct light
  • Missing prescription painkiller pills

Cocaine, Meth, and Other Stimulants

Stimulants like meth, cocaine, and other drugs are commonly used to get a high, improve performance, boost energy, or control appetite. Signs of recent use can include:

  • Feelings of confusion, false beliefs, and hallucinations
  • Irritability, anxiety, or paranoia
  • Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
  • Nausea or vomiting accompanied by weight loss
  • Impaired decision-making ability
  • Nasal congestion and damage to the nasal membrane (if drugs are snorted)
  • Oral sores, gum disease, and tooth decay resulting from drug smoking
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Depression when the effects of the drug diminish
  • Experiencing a feeling of joyful excitement and excessive self-assurance
  • Heightened awareness
  • Increased vitality and restlessness
  • Alterations in behavior or aggression
  • Speaking rapidly or incoherently
  • Dilated pupils (enlarged black circles in the eyes)

Hallucinogens

Signs of hallucinogens abuse may include:

  • Displaying peculiar actions, such as inappropriate affection, aggression, or paranoia
  • Excessive self-centeredness or fixation on specific objects
  • Facing challenges when engaging with others
  • Mood swings or a state of confusion
  • Having enlarged or irregularly shaped pupils

What Are the Treatment Options for Drug Addiction?

The treatment options for drug addiction vary depending on the individual’s specific needs and the type of addiction they are struggling with. Here are some common treatment options:

Detoxification

The first step in treating drug addiction is often detoxification, which involves removing the drug from the person’s system. This can be done in a supervised medical setting to manage withdrawal symptoms and ensure safety.

Behavioral Therapies

Various behavioral therapies can be used to help individuals modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug use. These therapies include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with drug use
  • Contingency Management: Provides incentives to individuals for maintaining abstinence from drugs
  • Motivational Interviewing: A client-centered approach that helps individuals find their motivation for change
  • Family Therapy: Involves the individual’s family in the treatment process to improve communication and address addiction-related family dynamics
  • Dialectal Behavioral Therapy: DBT teaches people how to control their emotions and reduce harmful behaviors caused by intense feelings. It focuses on four skills: handling distress, regulating emotions, being mindful, and improving relationships. DBT can be used for substance abuse cases, but it is primarily used for treating severe personality disorders like borderline personality disorder. It helps reduce cravings, avoid relapse situations, break harmful habits, and learn healthy coping strategies.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR, a transformative therapy, assists individuals in overcoming the effects of traumatic experiences that cause distress and unwanted symptoms. By cleverly employing “dual stimulation” techniques, such as bilateral eye movements, tones, or taps, EMDR creates a unique process that enables the brain to process past trauma more effectively. This fosters emotional stability, reduces symptoms, and promotes healing. EMDR’s remarkable efficacy has earned official recognition from the American Psychological Association as a validated treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related conditions.

Medications

Medications can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to manage cravings, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and help maintain abstinence. The specific medications used depend on the type of drug addiction and may include:

  • Methadone or buprenorphine for opioid addiction.
  • Naltrexone, acamprosate, or disulfiram for alcohol addiction.

Inpatient or Residential Treatment

In some cases, individuals may benefit from residential treatment programs where they live in a facility dedicated to addiction recovery. These programs often provide a structured environment with intensive therapy and support.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient programs allow individuals to receive treatment while living at home. They typically involve regular therapy sessions and support group meetings.

Holistic Approaches

Some individuals may benefit from complementary and alternative approaches such as meditation, yoga, acupuncture, or art therapy as part of their treatment plans.

It’s important to note that the most effective treatment approach can vary depending on the individual and their specific circumstances. Treatment plans should be tailored to address the unique needs and challenges of each person struggling with drug addiction. It is important to consult with healthcare professionals or addiction specialists to determine the most appropriate treatment options.

Call the Hotline

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance with drug addiction, don’t hesitate to call our helpline at 866-210-1303. Our trained professionals are ready to provide guidance, resources, and support to help you through this challenging time. Remember, reaching out for help is the first step toward recovery.