This article is written with Pennsylvania (PA) in mind, but part from a few phrases, the information works for any location in the world.
Drug addiction of alcohol abuse can be difficult to identify without information on the signs of addiction. Substance use problems can change the way that people look, how they act and feel, and symptoms of drug abuse can be physical, behavioral and psychological.
Luckily for concerned family members and friends, there are plenty of characteristics of addiction which are easily identifiable and many types of addictions to drugs share signs and symptoms. If someone can recognize the symptoms of addiction, then they might be able to help a friend or family member who is struggling with the disease.
Finding help can be as simple as searching the internet for “best detox PA”. Warning signs of addiction It may be difficult to tell if someone struggles with a drug addiction, but in some cases, there are warning signs of the disease.
Common warning signs for addiction can be physical, such as changes in a person’s appearance or personal hygiene; behavioral, such as mood swings or a person disregarding priorities; or psychological, such as lack of motivation or the develop of mental illnesses.
Physical signs
If a person misuses drugs or alcohol, theycan exhibit a plethora of physical signs from drug abuse. Some of these may be apparent, while thereare others which are hidden or can occur as gradual changes.
The most common signs of physical addiction are:
- A runny nose. This is common with cocaine addiction but can occur in any drug addiction where the drug is snorted. It is most common with cocaine addiction due to the frequency of dosing which is require from cocaine use.
- Lethargy. Many drugs cause users to be lethargic. This can be as a result of the drug use itself, or it can be caused by withdrawal from the drug.
- Pinpoint or dilated pupils. Drugs change the size of people’s pupils. Stimulants such asmethamphetamine or cocaine can cause a user’s pupils to become dilated, while opioids such as heroin or Oxycontin can make a user’s pupils very small.
- Changes in weight. The most frequent weight change seen in drugusers is in rapid weight loss, but there are some drugs which can cause rapid weight gain. Weight gain is also sometimes seen in alcohol abusers.
- Marks on skin. People who inject drugs often have marks on their skin. They will sometimes attempt to cover these up by wearing long clothing.
- Poor personal hygiene. A drug user may no longer care about washing or changing clothes, which can cause them to have a bedraggled appearance.
- Changes in sleep patterns. Someone who has a substance use disorder can experience interrupted sleep patterns, insomnia and oversleeping. They might find it difficult to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and can fall asleep at times of the day where previously they would have stayed awake.
- Secretive behavior. This can be one of the most common and telling signs of drug abuse. Someone who has drug addiction might become increasingly withdrawn and seek out privacy so that they can either obtain or use drugs. They might feel like they need to keep their drug use a secret and so, lie about where they are and what they are doing.
- Isolation. Social, emotional and mental isolation are common in someone who needs help with drugs. People who have a substance use disorder can isolate themselves from friends and family in order to keep their addiction a secret.
- Neglecting responsibilities. If someone is constantly under the influence of drugs, they might begin to neglect their daily responsibilities, such as attending work or school, or taking care of children and pets. They might begin to have difficulty in remembering the details of important appointments or start to miss deadlines or obligations.
- Financial problems. Drug problems can be very costly, particularly with some substances such as cocaine. Someone who is in the grips of drug addiction might begin by asking to borrow money from their friends and family or sell their belongings to maintain their drug addiction. If a person does not seek out the best detox PA, they may find themselves going bankrupt.
Wrap
For someone reading this who has a loved one they suspect of an illness, contacting a detox center can be difficult, but in some ways, it is also as simple as searching the internet for “best detox PA”.
If you search for “best detox PA”, you willbe presented many different options for detox facilities that can help your loved one release themselves from the grips of drug addiction. The process of recovery is a difficult one, but is one of the most important journeys that a person can embark on.
