What Are The Warning Signs Of Drug Abuse?
Basic warning signs of drug abuse
No matter what type of substance a person is abusing or dependant on, the symptoms and warning signs are all the same even though each drug has a different effect on an individual. The more a substance begins to affect your life and start controlling it, the greater the chance that you have entered the drug abuse stage. Additionally, that drug abuse can eventually lead to addiction. The following are the warning signs of drug abuse:
You are having problems in the different relationships in your life – fights with family members and close friends become increasingly more common. Worst of all, your employer is growing increasingly unhappier with your performance of the job.
You are getting into legal trouble – some of the more common legal problems that are indicative of the individual having a drug abuse problem include getting arrested for:
- disorderly conduct
- driving while under the influence of a particular substance
- stealing in order to support your drug habit
You are taking more and more risks while you are high – you are using drugs under potentially dangerous circumstances such as:
- driving while under the influence of a particular substance
- having unprotected sex, sometimes with more than one partner
- using dirty needles for injecting your drug of choice
You always procrastinate with your responsibilities or neglect them altogether –examples of this include neglecting your children at home, excessive absenteeism or tardiness on the job, and failing your classes at school.
Additional warning signs
In addition to the above, warning signs can be categorized as behavioral, physical, and psychological in nature. Here are some examples of what to watch for:
Behavioral warning signs – engaging in fights and illegal activities, financial problems and constantly needing money, getting into accidents, noticeable changes in friends, hangouts, and interests, and suspicious or secretive behavior
Physical warning signs – changes in sleep patterns, decrease in appetite followed by significant weight loss, deterioration in personal grooming habits and overall appearance, eyes are bloodshot and/or pupils are dilated, impaired coordination, slurred speech, tremors, and unusual body, breath, and clothing smells
Psychological warning signs – angry outbursts, irritability, and sudden mood swings; appearing lethargic or “spaced out”; being unusually agitated, giddy, or hyperactive; feelings of anxiety, fear, or paranoia; lack of motivation; unexplainable changes in attitude or personality
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