Toll-free (24 hours), 1-800-582-0709 Direct (local line), 1-801-222-9200 While these are not definitive signs, if accompanied by secrecy or defensiveness, they could provide useful clues as to whether something is wrong. Withdrawn behavior and responding with hostility or caution when uncomfortable topics arise can be a sign of defensive attitude. A person trying to hide addiction can redirect the conversation with arguments or even aggressive mood swings, and distracting methods are also a defensive signal. Physical warning signs of drug abuse Psychological warning signs of drug abuse.
Changes in a person's appearance can be a warning sign of addiction. These changes may include weight loss, poor hygiene, pointed pupils, bloodshot eyes, shaky hands, bruises, sweating, or flu-like symptoms. Watch for frequent coughs or nosebleeds. The obvious warning signs are the smell of alcohol or cigarette smoke.
Many people with drug or alcohol addiction start smoking or increase their use of tobacco. Signs of drug addiction include frequent intoxication, hangover, or illness and paraphernalia related to substance abuse. While the warning signs of addiction are not the same for everyone, most people with drug or alcohol addiction show some changes in mood, behavior, or experience consequences as a result of substance use. The criteria or symptoms of addiction are those used by doctors and medical professionals to diagnose that a person has an addiction, dependence, or substance use disorder.
However, a person experiencing any of these symptoms will often show some of the warning signs of addiction as a by-product of their addiction. Not everyone with an addiction shows the same signs and symptoms, but there are certain warning signs that can be used to screen for addiction. Recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step in getting help for yourself or guiding someone you love to rehab. Depending on many factors, a person struggling with addiction can do their best to hide physical signs or treat symptoms with total apathy.
Physical signs of addiction can manifest as side effects of use, during an overdose, or as a result of withdrawal. Because benzodiazepines are sedatives, some of their side effects overlap with general signs of addiction. The signs of a substance addiction vary depending on the person, the substance they are using, and what their particular patterns of use are. As discussed at Mayo Clinic, signs of prescription drug abuse vary depending on the specific drug or drug category.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of drug addiction, especially early on, can be crucial for people to receive the help and treatment they need before the effects turn devastating. Family members, loved ones, and co-workers are often in the best position to recognize a drug problem because they are familiar with the person's behavior and habits. One sign of methamphetamine addiction is “adjusting,” a process that begins when a person ingests a large amount of methamphetamine and doesn't sleep for 3 to 15 days. An addicted person also sometimes experiences the opposite effects when the drug leaves their system.
Watch for these seven key warning signs of addiction so you can take action ahead of time and get the help you or someone else may need.
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