If you suspect someone is using drugs, it’s important to approach them with compassion and understanding. Encourage them to seek help and offer support in finding treatment options. It’s also important to take care of yourself and seek support from others who may be able to help you navigate the situation. It’s important to note that fatigue can be caused by various factors, so it’s necessary to https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/10-celebrities-who-died-because-of-alcoholism/ consider other accompanying signs before jumping to conclusions. If you suspect drug use, it’s crucial to gather additional evidence and observe other behavioral and physical changes to support your concerns. If you notice someone being unusually secretive or deceptive, it may be an indication of drug use.
- When daily routines start unraveling, addiction could be a hidden cause.
- We’d love the opportunity to help you during this overwhelming and difficult process.
- While you can treat addiction, in most cases, someone with addiction must want to change for recovery to be successful.
- Remember that addiction is a disease and needs to be treated with empathy and understanding.
What are the Psychological Signs of Drug Use?
The helpline is free, and we can help you find a local counselor who can assist with substance abuse-related issues. Whether you have a specific question or just want to talk, our team is ready to take your call. As someone’s drug addiction continues, it often becomes more severe, and their behavior will be almost entirely focused on obtaining their next signs of drug use dose of drugs, and maintaining their high.
Signs and Symptoms of Drug Misuse in Adults
It’s essential to observe any consistent and unexplained drop in their performance. Studies indicate that up to 41 percent of individuals battling alcohol addiction reported using barbiturates or benzodiazepines. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reported 15 percent of heroin users also used these drugs.
Mood Swings and Emotional Instability
There is an important distinction between drug addiction vs. drug dependence. The term dependence refers to the fact that the brain has adapted physiologically to the substance of abuse. Dependence specifically refers to the effects of the process of neural adaptation to a psychoactive substance. It is a common feature of addiction, but not the totality of the more complex disorder. If you notice your loved one displaying signs of emotional instability or irritability, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Twelve-step program Remember that drug addiction is a disease and not a personal failing.
- These mood swings can occur rapidly and without apparent reason, making the person’s behavior unpredictable and erratic.
- A person who abuses these drugs may appear uninhibited, dizzy, or depressed.
- This shift in brain chemistry makes it increasingly difficult for the individual to feel pleasure from ordinary activities (like eating, socializing, or engaging in hobbies).
- You can use these criteria to alert you to a possible addiction or physical dependence on a drug.
Moreover, people under the influence of drugs may experience a decreased participation in activities they once found pleasurable. They may show a lack of interest, motivation, and enthusiasm for these activities that used to bring them joy. In addition, substance use can strain relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners.
Opioids include both prescription painkillers, like Vicodin and OxyContin, and the illicit drug heroin. 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. These CNS depressants are often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.
How to Approach the Situation?
When individuals struggle with substance abuse, they may naturally distance themselves from loved ones, encounter problems with friends, and experience feelings of shame. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.
Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Similar events can occur in the lives of people without an addiction problem. Before approaching someone you think may have an addition, determine if the problem is a result of a single incident or a growing problem with the addiction. No matter the type of addiction, it’s important to recognize warning signs and seek help if necessary. Locate addiction treatment providers and services that support addiction providers. While none of these symptoms alone confirm drug abuse, if paired with secretiveness or defensiveness, they may signal a deeper issue.