Drug addiction is a commonly increasing problem in society, raising countless concerns for the public’s health. The law imposes stringent restrictions on the sale and usage of drugs, especially amongst teenagers. However, it doesn’t quieten the qualms of parents and guardians regarding the safety of their teenage children from drugs and alcohol. It is also not always easy to identify and understand the signs of addiction before it’s too late.

It is essential to understand the symptoms of addiction before you or your loved one becomes a victim of substance abuse. Looking a little closer could help you identify the addict’s physical, psychological, and behavioral personality changes. Recognizing the symptoms of drug addiction can be conducive to addressing and then eliminating the problem. We’ve collected a list of telltale signs of drug addiction; let’s have a look:

1. Indifferent to Personal Appearance

Drug abuse and alcohol addiction can bring drastic changes to the person’s physical appearance going through these problems. They become indifferent to how they look and appear uninterested in managing their style. The drugs that keep them on a constant seesaw of high and low compels them to avoid on-hand situations, such as adequately dressing up. Apart from this, drugs have severe side effects like loss of appetite, which results in weight changes, or dehydration that leads to skin breakouts. If you recognize any such symptom in yourself or your loved one, and you’re sure that they are or have been using drugs, then it’s time to report the issue. You can get immediate help from rehab centers around you, like Delphi Behavioral Health Group. It is now located in 13 different places in the U.S. Rehabilitation centers can help attain holistic treatment, residential treatment, and other ways to get over drug issues.

2. Loss of Interest

Drug addiction makes one dependent on substances, making the mind reluctant to work on anything else. One of the most significant and most evident signs of drug abuse is when someone becomes apathetic towards things and people they admire. You might see them become complacent in what they have and not working towards achieving better. They might stop talking about their long-term plans and avoid duties or responsibilities they owned up to in the past. Drugs can lower enthusiasm towards many things in life, and they can quickly dull the person’s talents using them. But, during addiction, it becomes a struggle to be active in daily tasks and follow-through plans. Hence, it is a prominent telltale sign of drug abuse when someone is showing unordinary disinterest in activities which they used to find fun or admirable.

3. Mood Swings

Emotional involvement becomes challenging to manage when the brain is addled to substance, mainly when one uses it heavily. Moods keep constantly fluctuating, and their patience level reduces because drugs can cause irritation and anger. It becomes easier to identify drug addicts because even the minor inconveniences make them extremely upset, and it becomes challenging for them to control their moods. It could be a sign of drug addiction if a normally calm and collected person is now showing moodiness by being hyperactive or manic. They could also get quite aggressive, often due to withdrawal or craving their usual dosage. Addiction itself can be exhausting because the person is constantly in a moving state of euphoria and paranoia. It can be confusing, and all these sensations can lead to reckless behavior. Substance abuse has several co-occurring disorders, mainly depression or anxiety, just more amplified than before. So, look out for your loved ones if you think they need treatment.

4. Disoriented Sleeping Schedule

Drug abuse is often a significant cause of psychological stress in a person. Drugs are stimulants and depressants, and both these factors are responsible for changing hormonal activities. The users will feel a shift in their program and feel tired or wakeful at unexpected day hours. Substance dependence can cause a person to lose track of their time, significantly impacting their habits. Thus, if you find that your friend or someone from your family is oversleeping or staying awake for long hours, then it’s a pretty telltale sign of addiction. It is more than possible for them to experience this feeling of exhaustion and sleeplessness when coming down from the high of their chemical intake.

5. Physical Signs

There are some more prominent signs to look for if you doubt that someone is going through a drug problem. Reliance on chemicals can inflict slight but noticeable changes in their physical appearance, which might be out of their control. When pupils are constantly dilated, bloodshot or red eyes are usually relevant to drug abuse. If you pay closer attention to their skin texture and complexion, you might find it puffier and flushed. They could also be paling or unusually reddening, depending on the time of the day. The frequent changes in their skin color can be an indication of ongoing substance abuse or alcohol addiction. Some signs that you let go as mere tic can be pretty revealing. These signs can be impulsive pulling down sleeves to hide marks of drug injection or continuous itching and scratching on a particular area of the body, sniffling, and runny nose.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that around 10% of Americans are under drug abuse. However, this rate doesn’t include everyone who uses the substance. These telltale signs of addiction can help you identify a problem and respond quicker. Most of these often convey defensiveness, low energy, and isolation, more significant signs of drug addiction.