Signs And Symptoms Of Drug Addiction

The more drug use begins to affect and control a person's life, the more likely it is that he or she has a drug problem. Unfortunately, substance abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own symptoms of dependence and addiction.

If you suspect that a friend or loved one is abusing drugs, it's important to remember that drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. But there are a number of warning signs you can look for:

- Inability to relax or have fun without doing drugs.

- Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades.

- Frequently borrowing money, selling possessions, or stealing items from employer, home, or school.

- Angry outbursts, mood swings, irritability, manic behavior, or overall attitude change.

- Talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks.

- Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming.

- Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts frequently or at inappropriate times.

- No longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating with known users.

- Talking about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use.

- Expressing feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness.

- Using drugs first thing in the morning.

- Tolerance: Needing to use more of the drug to achieve the same effects.

- Failure to fulfill obligations: Neglecting school, work, or family responsibilities (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your children) because of drug use.

- Risky drug use: Using a drug under dangerous conditions, such as while driving or operating machinery. Taking risks while high, such as starting a fight or engaging in unprotected sex.

- Drug-related physical or psychological problems: Continuing to use despite physical problems (e.g. blackouts, flashbacks, infections, injuries) or psychological problems (e.g. mood swings, depression, anxiety, delusions, paranoia) the drug has caused.

- Drug-related social or interpersonal problems: Losing old friends and loved ones due to drug use. Arguing or fighting with others.

Source: HELPGUIDE.org