Signs and symptoms of drug abuse and drug

addiction
Although different drugs have different physical effects, the
symptoms of addiction are similar. See if you recognize yourself in
the following signs and symptoms of substance abuse and
addiction. If so, consider talking to someone about your drug use.
Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse
Youre neglecting your responsibilities at school, work, or
home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your
children) because of your drug use.
Youre using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking
risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty
needles, or having unprotected se.
Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as
arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or
stealing to support a drug habit.
Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships,
such as fights with your partner or family members, an
unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.
Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction
Youve built up a drug tolerance. !ou need to use more of the
drug to eperience the same effects you used to attain with
smaller amounts.
You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If
you go too long without drugs, you eperience symptoms
such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating,
shaking, and aniety.
Youve lost control over your drug use. !ou often do drugs or
use more than you planned, even though you told yourself
you wouldn"t. !ou may want to stop using, but you feel
powerless.
Your life revolves around drug use. !ou spend a lot of time
using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them,
and recovering from the drug"s effects.
Youve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as
hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.
You continue to use drugs, despite knowing its hurting
you. It"s causing ma#or problems in your life$blackouts,
infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia$but you use
anyway.
Warning signs that a friend or family member is
abusing drugs
%rug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay
their problem. If you"re worried that a friend or family member
might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs&
Physical warning signs of drug abuse
'loodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual.
(hanges in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or
weight gain.
%eterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits.
)nusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
*remors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.
Behavioral signs of drug abuse
%rop in attendance and performance at work or school.
)neplained need for money or financial problems. +ay borrow or
steal to get it.
,ngaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
-re.uently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities).
Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
)neplained change in personality or attitude.
Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts.
/eriods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness.
0ack of motivation1 appears lethargic or 2spaced out.3
Appears fearful, anious, or paranoid, with no reason.
arning !igns of Commonly "bused #rugs
$arijuana% 4lassy, red eyes1 loud talking, inappropriate laughter
followed by sleepiness1 loss of interest, motivation1 weight
gain or loss.
#epressants &including 'ana(, )alium, *+B,% (ontracted
pupils1 drunk5like1 difficulty concentrating1 clumsiness1 poor
#udgment1 slurred speech1 sleepiness.
!timulants &including amphetamines, cocaine, crystal
meth,% %ilated pupils1 hyperactivity1 euphoria1 irritability1
aniety1 ecessive talking followed by depression or ecessive
sleeping at odd times1 may go long periods of time without
eating or sleeping1 weight loss1 dry mouth and nose.
-nhalants &glues, aerosols, vapors,% 6atery eyes1 impaired
vision, memory and thought1 secretions from the nose or
rashes around the nose and mouth1 headaches and nausea1
appearance of intoication1 drowsiness1 poor muscle control1
changes in appetite1 aniety1 irritability1 lots of cans7aerosols
in the trash.
+allucinogens &.!#, PCP,% %ilated pupils1 bizarre and irrational
behavior including paranoia, aggression, hallucinations1 mood
swings1 detachment from people1 absorption with self or other
ob#ects, slurred speech1 confusion.
+eroin& (ontracted pupils1 no response of pupils to light1 needle
marks1 sleeping at unusual times1 sweating1 vomiting1
coughing, sniffling1 twitching1 loss of appetite.
arning signs of teen drug abuse
6hile eperimenting with drugs doesn"t automatically lead to drug
abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug
abuse and addiction. 8isk of drug abuse also increases greatly
during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or
divorce. *he challenge for parents is to distinguish between the
normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red
flags of substance abuse. *hese include&
9aving bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils1 using eye drops to try to
mask these signs.
Skipping class1 declining grades1 suddenly getting into trouble at
school.
+issing money, valuables, or prescriptions.
Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or
depressed.
%ropping one group of friends for another1 being secretive about
the new peer group.
0oss of interest in old hobbies1 lying about new interests and
activities.
%emanding more privacy1 locking doors1 avoiding eye contact1
sneaking around.