- Sleeping problems, such as difficulty falling asleep, being awake at odd times, or falling asleep at strange times.
- A general sense of lethargy, or also excessive energy, depending on the drug.
- Changes in eating habits, such as a loss of appetite or an increased appetite.
- Pupils that are either larger or smaller than normal.
- Watery or bloodshot eyes.
- Strange smells
- Extreme talkativeness or hyperactivity.
- Slurred speech
- Tremors or impaired coordination.
- A sudden change in weight, including gain or loss
- A change in grooming habits or a decline in personal appearance.
- Clenching of the jaw
- Tremors
- Flushing, or paleness in the face
Full Answer
How do you know if you need help for drug addiction?
Isolating Oneself Social, emotional and mental isolation are common signs that someone needs help for a drug or alcohol addiction. People who face a substance use disorder may isolate themselves from their partners, friends or family members to keep their addiction a secret.
Are you recognizing the signs of drug use?
As a result, recognizing the signs of drug use sooner rather than later is important. There are common signs of habitual drug use across all substances as well as signs that are unique to the type of substance abused.
What are the symptoms of drug withdrawal?
These withdrawal symptoms may begin only a few hours after the last drug was taken. It is also accommodated by more mental symptoms such as extreme anxiety and depression, inability to concentrate and a removal from social situations. 8. Increased Aggression Anger and drug addiction are intertwined in many ways.
When is it time to talk to your loved one about drugs?
If you notice that your loved one has a few of the following signs and symptoms, it may be time to sit down and have a real heart to heart talk with them before it’s too late. People who are abusing drugs will begin to show noticeable signs of behavior and personality changes.
What are 4 signs of a drug problem?
Signs someone else is addicted:Changes in personality and behavior like a lack of motivation, irritability, and agitation.Bloodshot eyes and frequent bloody noses.Shakes, tremors, or slurred speech.Change in their daily routines.Lack of concern for personal hygiene.Unusual need for money; financial problems.More items...
How do you know when someone is dealing with drugs?
Some signs of drug use may include:Withdrawal from friends and family.Change in friendships or problems with friends.A drop in grades or attendance at school.Signs of sadness, depression, agitation or hostility.An increase in borrowing money.Evidence of drug paraphernalia or missing prescription drugs.
What are 3 signs of a substance use disorder?
Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:Feeling of exhilaration and excess confidence.Increased alertness.Increased energy and restlessness.Behavior changes or aggression.Rapid or rambling speech.Dilated pupils.Confusion, delusions and hallucinations.Irritability, anxiety or paranoia.More items...
What are the five stages of treatment?
Motivation for Recovery: Moving Through the 5 Stages of ChangeStage One: Precontemplation.Stage Two: Contemplation.Stage Three: Preparation.Stage Four: Action.Stage Five: Maintenance/Recovery.Addiction recovery that's built to last.
Which characteristic is associated with drug abuse?
Results: Emotional change: The drug-dependent person experiences mood swings related to drug use. Gradually there is a personality change and all activity and thoughts revolve around drugs. Judgment and insight are also impaired.
What drug makes you talkative?
Amphetamines can make people: alert, confident and energetic. talkative, restless and excited.
What four symptoms must you meet to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder?
Criteria for Substance Use DisordersTaking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you're meant to.Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.Cravings and urges to use the substance.More items...•
How does drug use impact relationships?
As drinking or drug use gets worse, it starts to take more and more time away from the couple, taking its toll by creating an emotional distance between the partners that is difficult to overcome. These couples also report that they fight and argue a great deal, which sometimes can become violent.
Which of the following is a symptom of drug dependence?
development of a high tolerance for the substance as your body adapts to the drug, leading to a desire for larger or more frequent doses. physical symptoms of withdrawal when you attempt to stop using the drug.
What is last stage drug?
Stage 4: Addiction Once the final stage is reached, you have entered addiction and complete dependency upon the substance. It's no longer a question about whether or not you're addicted to drugs or alcohol.
What's the first stage of addiction?
Stage 1: Initiation The first stage of addiction is called initiation, during which time the individual tries a substance for the first time.
What does relapse look like?
The individual usually starts to experience negative emotional responses, such as anger, moodiness and anxious feelings. They also may begin to experience erratic eating and sleeping habits, and their desire for recovery often wanes due to a lack of using their support systems.
How do you know if you have hallucinogens?
LSD may cause a person to act impulsively and experience hallucinations. They may claim to hear colors or see sounds, and in some cases, they may experience tremors. If a person has used PCP, they may be unable to feel pain and seem intolerant to loud noise. Someone who has used psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” may experience hallucinations, nausea, muscle twitching, and difficulty differentiating between hallucinations and reality.People on hallucinogens may appear drowsy, panicked, or at peace, depending on the type of “trip” they are having.
What are the symptoms of opioid abuse?
Signs of opioid abuse include overall sedation, memory issues, inability to concentrate, slowed reaction times, lethargy, and mood swings . Since opioids can slow the digestive system, users often experience constipation and other intestinal issues.When without the drug, users may become anxious and display flulike symptoms.
What happens if you snort cocaine?
A person on a stimulant may exhibit frequent behavior changes, aggression, or rapid or rambling speech. They may display dilated pupils, increased energy, and a fast breathing rate. In some cases, users may become paranoid or hostile.If users snort the drug, nasal congestion is a common sign of use. Snorting drugs like cocaine can damage the mucous membrane inside the nose.
How do you know if someone is using drugs?
Other signs of drug use that can help with how to tell if someone is using drugs, are finding drug paraphernalia on the person or in their room. Committing criminal acts to obtain money for drugs, and engaging in risky behavior are other signs of drug use. If your loved one is using drugs, he will begin to be affected by ...
What are the signs of drug use?
One of the signs of drug use is trying to cover-up your whereabouts and what you were doing. Lying and manipulation are defense mechanisms that an addict will use to try and cover up their drug use.
How do drugs affect the brain?
Drugs often affect the way the brain functions by either slowing it down with sedatives or revving it up with stimulants. Any type of behavior that is out of the norm for the person should be a red flag that something is amiss.
What is the defense mechanism that an addict will use to try and cover up their drug use?
Lying and manipulation are defense mechanisms that an addict will use to try and cover up their drug use. Drug addicts often begin to neglect personal grooming and hygiene. They may appear unkempt, dirty and have a body odor from a lack of bathing.
What are the signs of a person being high?
Some signs may include: lethargy, disorientation, paranoia, anger, hostility, sadness, euphoria, etc. Mood swings may become prevalent as the person goes from being high on drugs to coming down from the high and going into withdrawal.
How does stimulant affect mood?
Stimulants will keep an addict up for long periods of time until their body gives out and then they will have a prolonged sleep to recuperate. This lack of rest will begin to affect their mood and they may become edgy, irritable, angry, hostile and violent.
Do high functioning addicts have a cold?
Addicts usually have glassy eyes, dilated or constricted pupils and a runny nose. They may say they have a cold but these symptoms don’t go away in a week or so.
1. Changes in Appearance
Drug addiction can have serious effects an individual’s appearance biologically speaking as well as mentally.
3. Financial Troubles
While most studies focus on the emotional and physical tolls of drug abuse, the financial cost of substance abuse is extremely detrimental to the user.
4. Changes in Relationships
Those struggling with addiction are known to act out against those who are closest to them. This often includes immediate family members, partners, friends, and co-workers.
9. Loss of Interests
Drug addiction can often result in a sense of apathy amongst the user.
10. Depression
Depression is a mental illness that is often co-occurring with drug addiction. In fact, roughly 1/3 of adults with a substance abuse disorder suffer from depression.
Now You Know How to Tell if Someone is On Drugs
After reading these symptoms, you now display a better understanding of how to tell if someone is on drugs and might need help. If your loved one is displaying many or even just a few of these signs, it’s possible they may be struggling with a drug addiction and require an intervention.
How do you know if you are using meth?
Here are some of the noticeable signs of meth use: Sudden spikes in energy and/or inability to sleep. Excessive sweating. Chronic lack of appetite. Trembling or twitching. Obsessiveness and paranoia. Insomnia. Confusion and memory loss. Deterioration of dental hygiene.
How long does meth last?
The mood and energy changes caused by using meth can often last for 2-3 days if someone doesn’t have a tolerance, but the impact of the drug on the physical and psychological well-being of the user are significant, and there are some telltale signs to look for in a loved one that can indicate they’re using meth.
What is the brain disease that causes a lack of control over how much alcohol is consumed?
Abusing alcohol may lead to the development of an alcohol use disorder, which is a brain disease characterized by the compulsive, repetitive consumption of alcoholic substances, a lack of control over how much is consumed, and negative feelings when not consuming alcohol.
What are the immediate effects of cocaine?
The immediate effects of cocaine, which include extreme energy, alertness, and hypersensitivity, are fleeting. The impact it has on the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain strongly encourages repetitive and more frequent use — a recipe for addiction. Here are some of the most common signs of cocaine use:
What is the disease of addiction?
Drug addiction is a disease that impacts brain functioning and behavior in fundamental ways. Over time, repeated use of an addictive substance can lead to an inability to stop using the drug, causing noticeable changes in priorities, behavior, and appearance. While the signs and symptoms associated with drug use vary depending on the drug, ...
Is methamphetamine a psychostimulant?
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant that is most frequently used recreationally. It can be snorted, swallowed, injected, or smoked, and elicits a powerful temporary response or “high” in the user, characterized by increased activity of neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin.
Can you smoke heroin?
Users may inject, sniff, snort, or smoke the drug, while others may take prescription opioids in pill form. In addition to the risk of overdose, it’s common for heroin to contain additives like sugar or starch that may clog blood vessels and lead to permanent organ damage when the substance is injected.
What is Drug Detoxification?
Drug detoxification is the removal of toxic substances, such as drugs and alcohol, from a person’s body. When you decide that you want to become sober, your body does not immediately agree with your choices.
Medical Detoxification
Medically assisted detoxification is described by NIDA as a detox that safely manages the process and physical symptoms of withdrawal. When your detoxification process is being monitored by medical professionals, it’s considered to be medically assisted.
What Exactly Happens To Your Body During Detox
For someone who is dealing with substance use disorder, their body and mind become addicted to the presence of that drug in their body. This results in a dependency to the drug that can create barriers when you are trying to become sober. During a detox your body will most likely go through withdrawal symptoms.
How Long Will a Detox Take?
Detoxification is different for everyone, and depending on the substance that you are trying to detox from, it could take anywhere from 3-10 days. When a detox is medically assisted, you can be assured that you will not relapse during your stay. This means that the process will take less time than if you were to try to attempt it alone.
Different Medicines Used in Detox
For some substances, there is medication that can be administered to help the withdrawal symptoms so that the detoxification process can be less painful and so cravings can be reduced. Buprenorphine and naltrexone are FDA-approved medications used for treating addiction.
Where To Find a Detox Center
Here at Soba Recovery, we offer a multitude of services to help you or a loved one into recovery from substance use disorder. We have two different locations, one in San Antonio, Texas and the other in Mesa, Arizona.
In Summary
If you are still worried about what your body will go through during a drug detox, think about the damage your substance abuse disorder might have already caused to it and how much better off your body will be once you’ve become sober.
Telling Our Extended Family Members
Just how many people in our extended family should we tell? (Julie Keen/Shutterstock)
Telling Our Friends and Acquaintances
If we cherish our close friendships, we should let our friends know about our struggle. (Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock)
Telling Our Employers and Colleagues
Not everyone in the office needs to receive a memo on the subject, but at least a few pertinent colleagues should know what’s going on. (Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock)
Final Note on Entering Treatment
You may feel alone in this battle. Hopefully, your conversations with others will help you to realize that you are not. (everst/Shutterstock)
What happens when you abuse a drug?
Continued abuse of drugs or alcohol interferes with the motivation and reward chemistry and circuitry, resulting in drug cravings and dependence. Detoxing from one substance may result in different withdrawal symptoms and health risks that evolve over varying time frames when compared with another type of drug.
What happens to the body when you withdraw from a drug?
During withdrawal, the body is attempting to reach a new state of homeostasis as it dispels the user’s drug of choice. This can result in large fluctuations in brain chemicals and may accompany significant mental and physical health repercussions.
How long does it take for a drug to withdraw from your system?
A general overview of certain drugs and their characteristic withdrawal timeline is as follows: Short-Acting Opioids (such as heroin and certain prescription painkillers): Short-acting opioid withdrawal symptoms generally begin 8-24 hours after last use and last an average of 4-10 days.
What is withdrawal from drugs?
Drug withdrawal may include a combination of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms — some of which can prove dangerous if left unmanaged. American Addiction Centers (AAC) ofter unique care for every single patient that walks through our facility doors.
How long does it take to get off of Xanax?
Benzodiazepines (such as Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Clonazepam and Ativan): Withdrawal from benzos begins within 1-4 days, peaking in severity in the first 2 weeks. Protracted withdrawal can last months or years without treatment in some cases 3.
How to stabilize someone in withdrawal from substances?
To stabilize someone in withdrawal from certain substances at the start of a longer-term treatment for substance use disorders ( SUDs), medical professionals may administer different medications to ease symptoms and decrease the risk of complications.
What is a benzodiazepine withdrawal?
Benzodiazepines, or “benzos” as they are sometimes referred to, are a class of drugs that effectively treat anxiety, panic disorder, and certain types of seizure disorders. According to Harvard Health, doctors also prescribe benzodiazepines to treat muscle spasms and tremors. 8.
What happens when you rely on drugs?
When a person begins to rely on drugs or alcohol, they’re not aware of the expansive repercussions that could result from their substance use. They started abusing substances to feel better or different, but they never did it with the intention of hurting other people around them.
Why do people become addicted to drugs?
Oftentimes, a person abuses substances to suppress any stressful or anxious feelings they have. These feelings that drive people to substance abuse might stem from persistent issues in family relationships or a mental illness.
What is the hard truth about recovering from addiction?
The Hard Truth About Recovering From Addiction. For many people, a substance addiction was an intruder that encroached onto every aspect of their lives. Those who’ve successfully recovered from an addiction worked hard to understand what led them to substance abuse, and how they could keep the addiction from invading their lives again.
What are some examples of addictions?
Many addictions are ignited by experimenting with a substance just once. Methamphetamine and hallucinogenic drugs like ecstasy are just a few of the most common examples that can cause an instant addiction. Just one dose of these drugs can kickstart a destructive pattern of abuse.
How do prescription drugs affect the brain?
Over time, prescription drugs change the way a person’s brain functions. They might continue taking the pills to feel “normal” and be able to get through the day. Before they know it, an addiction has formed and the person may begin craving higher dosages of the prescribed substance.
Why do people hesitate to tell their families and friends about their addictions?
People often hesitate to tell their families and friends for fear of being criticized or abandoned. The best thing people can do for someone in recovery from an addiction is stand by their side during their ongoing journey. Recovering from an addiction is difficult when done alone, even well after treatment.
Can anyone become addicted to alcohol?
But the truth is that anyone can become addicted to drugs or alcohol regardless of their background, age or financial status. Research has shown a number of contributing factors that make some people more likely to become addicted.
