Drug addiction is an issue that affects individuals from all walks of life. Noticing drug abuse in either yourself or a family member can be difficult; if you suspect a drug addiction is brewing, it’s crucial to seek the right help.
Whether it’s prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or even alcohol, addiction can quickly take hold of your life. Being able to recognise the signs of drug addiction is vital if you want to get help and support for those close to you who are affected. To find out more about the key signs of drug addiction to look out for, continue reading.
How to Recognise Drug Addiction
It’s important to be able to recognise frequent drug use. Substance abuse should be taken seriously, and it’s crucial to seek professional help if you have an addiction. Taking drugs, whether it be cocaine or opioids, has the potential to cause an array of negative long-term effects on both your physical and mental health.
Although the common signs of drug use vary depending on the type of substance being used, it can become clear when someone is using drugs once you know what to look out for. Let’s take a look at some of the main signs of drug addiction.
Changes in Behaviour
Drug dependence often causes a behavioural change. These behavioural changes could manifest in various forms, including sudden mood swings, irritability, and aggression.
People struggling with addiction might also show signs of secrecy; it’s common for drug users to want to hide their addiction, resulting in them becoming defensive when asked about it. In most cases, drug users will also begin to isolate themselves, withdrawing from social activities and responsibilities.
Physical Symptoms
Drug addiction can affect your physical appearance. From sudden weight loss or gain to changes in appetite, drug addiction can take its toll on your body. Although these are common physical signs and symptoms of drug abuse, how one drug user looks will be different from another.
Less harsh drugs might not impact your body as much as something like heroin would. If you’re trying to figure out if someone you know is a drug addict, it’s also helpful to look out for poor coordination and rapid or rambling speech, as well as dilated or constricted pupils.
Financial Issues
It’s common for individuals who abuse drugs to experience financial problems. Many addictive drugs can be expensive, and some people might have an addiction but be unable to afford them.
Addiction is an expensive habit, and it can certainly become a priority over necessities like food. Drug addicts often borrow money frequently, steal, or sell possessions to fund their addiction. Financial instability can quickly spiral out of control and lead to further complications.
Changes in Relationships
Drug addiction can take a toll on relationships with family members, friends, and partners. Although many drugs are taken socially, substance use disorders (SUD) make people lack social connection, where the possibilities for meaningful relationships are subsumed by the compulsive drive towards substances.
Individuals struggling with drug addiction might also exhibit erratic behaviour or become extremely unreliable. The type of behaviour that addicts display has the potential to have a detrimental effect on close relationships.
Although it can be difficult to recognise addiction in a loved one, these frequent changes in your relationship could be a clear sign something is going on.
Decline in Mental Health
If you’re close to someone, it can be quite easy to spot a decline in mental health. Drugs carry many negative consequences and have the potential to cause mental health issues in addicts.
It’s important to address mental health, especially when you’re addicted to drugs. If someone you know is showing signs of poor mental health while showing odd behaviour changes and sudden financial issues, they might be hiding an addiction to drugs.
Although these are some of the most common signs of frequent drug use, people could display their addiction differently. As addiction takes hold, individuals might also neglect their responsibilities at work, school, or home.
It’s also common for drug users to avoid their addiction and deny their drug abuse. They might become defensive when confronted about their drug use and resist efforts to intervene or seek treatment.
How to Help Someone With a Drug Addiction
If you notice that someone close to you is addicted to drugs, the best thing you can do for them is to seek professional help. By reaching out to a trusted referral service like ours, you’ll be able to explore different treatment options and support groups for your loved one to attend.
At Verve Healthcare, we specialise in referring people to rehabilitation clinics across the country. Our service is second to none, and our friendly team offers a no-judgement approach at all times. We can help you find a suitable rehab centre for your close friend or family member.
Rehab is the best place for your loved one to attend if they struggle with alcoholism and drug dependence, allowing them to address their drug problem by choosing a tailored treatment plan that suits their needs and circumstances.
During their stay at rehab, they’ll also be able to go through something called detoxification. Drug detox eliminates any remaining substances in their body, kickstarting their journey to a happier, healthier life.
It’s common to experience withdrawal symptoms throughout this stage, and some can be tedious to deal with, depending on the type of drug that’s been taken and the severity of the addiction.
Rehab allows your beloved to stop taking drugs in a safe environment around highly skilled medical professionals. Additionally, your close friend or family member will have access to round-the-clock care and therapy. Therapy is extremely beneficial for those overcoming addiction.
It addresses any underlying causes of addiction and provides them with effective relapse prevention techniques to help end their drug-taking habits once and for all. To find out more about our referral service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.