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Packages are often labeled as other products to avoid detection. Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products. These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative. Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug.
- Alcohol or drug addiction changes the way a person looks, acts and feels.
- When that substance is suddenly unavailable, that absence leaves many brain operations exposed and interferes with the various functions.
- Addiction involves both the mind and the body—and every other facet of existence, because they all interact.
- Having multiple health problems and taking multiple drugs can put people at risk of misusing drugs or becoming addicted.
- The type of drug prescribed depends on many factors, including the phase of treatment a person is in.
Co-occurring mental health conditions
SUD is a condition that involves a person’s misuse of substances, such as alcohol or drugs, even though the person may continue to experience unwanted harmful effects. Knowing these signs can help to identify whether a loved one may be using drugs and risking harmful consequences to their health, school, job, and family life. There are common signs of habitual drug use across all substances as well as signs that are unique to the type of substance abused. The clinical manifestation of abrupt cessation of a substance of abuse is withdrawal.
Depression in Older Adults
Many of the effects of drug addiction are similar, no matter what substance someone uses. The following are some of the most common effects of drug addiction. People with drug addictions continue to use drugs compulsively, despite the negative effects. This hotline was created to ensure that individuals who are experiencing mental health-related distress can connect with compassionate support.
Psychological signs of substance use disorder
It’s a lifelong journey involving continually learning how to apply new coping skills to everyday life. Outpatient treatment is a less intensive program that usually involves fewer hours and days per week. This program serves as a follow-up treatment, designed to offer a longer-term structure to those who have completed inpatient or intensive outpatient programs.
On the physical side, a sustained neglect of personal appearance, poor hygiene, and listlessness may be signs. Bloodshot or glazed signs of drug use eyes and slurred or rambling speech can result from drug use. Sweating, body tremors, or even vomiting can be signs, as can weight loss or gain. Those who become addicted are usually acutely aware of their own behavioral shifts and especially how they are disappointing others, even as they rationalize away their behavioral anomalies.
Warning Signs of Addiction
- This may be because they got caught in possession of a drug, they were selling it, or they may drive while intoxicated and hurt someone.
- Open communication starts by showing an interest in and talking to your teen about everything.
- At the same time, make sure that you reassure your teen that you love them and that you want to help.
- Healthcare professionals diagnose SUDs using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR).
- Medications for addiction treatment offer hope and healing for those seeking recovery from opioid addiction.
- Benzodiazepines include common medications, such as Valium and Xanax.
- Substances users often become so preoccupied with getting and using that they forego eating and suddenly lose weight.
Someone may begin to distance themselves from their old friends or loved ones that may try to get them to stop. Outbursts, Resentful Behavior, Intense Irritability, or Mood Swings. They may become moody and not want to talk to you or anyone that may notice changes due to drug use.
An adolescent using drugs might also miss classes, skip school, or change their eating or sleeping habits. Parents can also listen for their kids using slang terms for certain drugs of abuse. I’ve seen firsthand how stigma can block life-saving treatments. Medications for addiction treatment offer hope and healing for those seeking recovery from opioid addiction. Substances of abuse deliver an intense sensation that creates a neurochemically driven motivation to repeat the experience again and again.
Let’s Start a Conversation
Many drug users have made many promises to themselves to stop—and broken them as well, leading them to believe they are incapable of stopping. The areas of the brain affected and changed by drug abuse are the same areas of the brain that control cognition and include learning, memory, and higher reasoning. When drugs are abused, those areas in the brain are altered. This disrupts normal functions and may cause a deficit in memory.
How to Help Someone with a Drug Addiction?
Whether the addiction is to a drug or a behavior, their health will almost always decline. Addiction—to prescription and street drugs and alcohol —is a serious problem. If you’re worried that you or a loved one may have an addiction, there are signs to help you know. Click on any substance below to find out some characteristic signs and symptoms of abuse and addiction to that substance. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted rehab facilities across the country.
