How to recognize signs of drug abuse and addiction is not simple. This is especially true in the initial phase of drug consumption when neither the psychological nor physical health of a person hasn’t been disrupted. They’re still trying to keep old habits and leave the impression that everything is fine. If you suspect that you or someone you love is having a problem with substance abuse, there’s a list of universally accepted symptoms to examine. At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we can help people learn to identify the signs to get the help they need or support someone else as they look to recover.

Signs of Drug Abuse

Tens of millions of people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders. Even the first use of an illicit drug qualifies as drug abuse. It usually starts willfully, and most commonly due to curiosity, boredom, stress, or depression. Addiction is a strong urge to obtain the use of illicit drugs regardless of the consequences, and it’s a product of prolonged drug abuse. Here are some common signs of drug abuse:

Eyes: It’s easy to recognize the eyes of someone who has substance abuse issues. They’re red most of the time, with a glazed appearance. The majority of substances dilate the pupils to let more light in.
Personal hygiene: One of the common signs of drug dependency is a gradual decline in personal hygiene and appearance. It’s not that a person forgets to shower or shave. It becomes irrelevant. In later stages of addiction, a person often lives in a house full of garbage.

Skin: The body of a person addicted to drugs is often full of inexplicable marks and bruises. Drug abuse affects the skin in several ways. People use drugs intravenously, so the marks are either on their arms or other and more hidden locations on the body. People using crystal meth often develop sores on their skin because of the itching. Crack causes burns on the fingers and mouth of a user. If the bruises are large, they can be from losing balance and falling. An intoxicated person is very likely to become injured.
There are sudden weight changes: Drug abuse makes people gain or lose weight, depending on the type of drug a person is using. Marijuana makes people lazier and develops food cravings, especially a craving for sweets. Stimulant drugs such as crystal meth or cocaine often lead to losing weight because they reduce the appetite, sometimes even to a point where an addicted person stops eating completely. Any sudden and significant weight change may be due to drug abuse, so pay attention if you notice it in someone close.

If you suspect that someone close to you is under the influence of drugs, you are not alone. Around eight percent of employed adults have issues with substance abuse, and this is thousands and thousands of people, some of them you might be seeing daily. Knowing the most common warning signs of drug abuse creates a better chance to address the problem before it turns into an addiction.

Behavioral Changes When Dealing with Substance Use Disorder

Aside from physical signs of drug use, individuals will also change their behavior or attitude. Some of these changes may include:

Mood: Substance abuse changes a personality too. A person suddenly goes out a lot from someone shy and quiet, has a group of friends, and starts partying. Most addictive drugs result in pleasure and euphoria, which is why most people continue the use. After euphoria’s initial feeling subsides, a person becomes irritable, angry, anxious, sometimes even depressed. We all have bad days when we can’t fully engage in work or even family, but if a person has more “off days” than good days for no apparent reason, it might be the sign of drug abuse that’s slowly becoming an addiction.
Contacts: Having new people’s new routines is a common behavioral sign of substance abuse, but losing old acquaintances. Temper outbursts and similar shifts in communication in people who were once calm and becoming more guarded can mean that they are trying to hide substance abuse.
Criminal activity: A person becoming dependant on drugs suddenly needs more money than usual. They may engage in criminal activity to get obtain money. If you have someone close who has an unexplained need for more and more money, or you notice that you’re missing some valuable possessions, it might be the sign you’re having someone close who’s becoming an addict.

Importance of Treating Addiction

It’s not uncommon for people with addiction to fear detox facilities. They have a misguided notion that detox facilities seem like torture. This is because they don’t know how withdrawing from addictive substances looks like, as the majority has never tried it. Or even if they did try to quit on their own, at home environment may have been so harsh that they gave up fast. Fear of the unknown is among the most potent fears out there and can prevent individuals from accomplishing important things in life.

That’s why here at Pines Recovery Life Detox, we are trying to inform the population about the benefits of professional detox facilities and how important it is to be monitored by professionals when trying to go drug-free. When you or someone dear to you signs for detoxification in our facility, our team of specialists approaches them with a specialized detoxification plan since everyone’s addiction level and health condition are different. We then figure out the best options for any person that comes to our facility and make a personalized treatment program that a person can follow.

Reach Out To Pines Recovery Life Detox

To remain drug-free, it’s important to enroll in a treatment program that involves psychological counseling. Therapy sessions with a psychiatrist can help to determine what led an individual to the addictive substances in the first place. Therapy recognizes triggers, whether emotional or environmental and helps modify the old thought patterns and behaviors. At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we can provide physical treatment to address withdrawal symptoms and therapy to help individuals identify and overcome addiction’s mental aspects. Reach out to us today at 800.263.3869, or contact us online.

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