Signs of Drug Addiction

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Addiction is a chronic societal problem that affects people regardless of wealth or background. Anyone can become addicted to substances, and it’s not a sign of moral weakness. Addiction is just as much a disease as cancer, and it’s just as harmful to a person’s life. But the stigma often stops many people from getting help for drug addiction.

Addictive substances can flood the brain with 50 to 100 times the amount of dopamine (the chemical in the brain responsible for pleasure and learning) that a person might receive from an activity that was good for their body. Many addictive substances, such as alcohol and cannabis, have become socially acceptable to the point where addiction can fester without detection. By the time someone wants to quit the substance and fight their drug addiction, they may find themselves unable to without help or medical assistance.

It’s important to look out for signs of addiction in yourself and loved ones. There’s no shame in asking for help or entering inpatient addiction treatment if you need help recovering from drug addiction. Entering treatment is taking responsibility for yourself and your addiction, so you can learn healthy coping mechanisms and build a life of sobriety that you can sustain. If someone in your life is looking to heal from their addiction, it’s most important to help them as they go through the process.

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How Can You Tell if Someone is Using Drugs?

There is a major difference between using drugs and having a substance abuse problem. But many addictive substances carry a high potential for addiction, and one use is often too many for most people. It’s important to look for the signs of addiction in yourself and others.

What are the Physical Signs of Addiction?

Signs of general drug addiction (also known as substance abuse disorder) include the following:

Red eyes
Drastic changes in energy, such as mania or sluggishness
Drastic weight loss or gain in a short period of time
Irregular sleep patterns (insomnia or periods of long sleep)
Small or dilated pupils
Odors on clothing, especially chemical odors
Marks on the skin, such as puncture holes or bruising
Poor personal hygiene
Decreased physical coordination

The exact signs of addiction may differ depending on the substance to which the person is addicted. But prioritizing obtaining and using the drug of choice (above personal well-being) can result in physical signs of addiction regardless of the substance.

What are the Psychological Signs of Addiction?

Before physical signs of addiction, the people in an addicted person’s life often notice the psychological signs of addiction first. Signs can vary according to the substance and severity of addiction. But some signs are consistent with general substance abuse disorder, regardless of the drug they are addicted to:

Avoiding personal or professional responsibilities
Social isolation
Trouble with the law, such as DUIs or petty theft
Obsessive, paranoid, or fearful thoughts
Financial trouble or frequently needing money
Repeated instances of lying
Less involvement with friends and family
Decreased performance at school or work
Loss of interest in previously loved activities; general apathy

An individual may display some or all of these traits when suffering from drug addiction.

It’s important to remember that addiction is a disease, and to suffer from it is not a sign that someone is a bad person. People suffering from addiction need help and support to overcome it and start living a life of healthy coping mechanisms.

When Should You Get Help For Substance Use?

If you suspect that your substance use is starting to turn into addiction, it’s important to seek help as early as possible. This reduces the possible extent of side effects you may feel from the addictive substance leaving your system.

Do not attempt to quit your addiction cold turkey without the guidance of a medical professional. Several drugs, including alcohol and prescription pills, can have very painful or even fatal withdrawal symptoms. Depending on the substance, you may need to undergo detox treatment to safely remove the substance from your system.

These signs indicate that you may be undergoing addiction and need to seek out recovery treatment:

Needing more of the substance over time to feel a desired effect
Consuming more of the substance over time, and more of your consumption is done alone
Inability to stop your substance use (even if you want to)
Halting substance use leads to you experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety or shaking hands
Feeling the desire to use a substance to alter your mood
Thinking that you “need” a substance to get through an event or circumstance
Consuming substances even in dangerous situations, such as driving
Hearing your friends and family say you should consider treatment

If you need help in your recovery from addiction, you’re not alone. There are many people and services available to help you learn how to live a sober lifestyle and learn relapse prevention to avoid turning to drugs to cope with stress.

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Get Started on Your Personal Journey to Addiction Recovery. Contact the Addiction Treatment Specialist at Melrose Recovery to Start the Admission Rehab Paperwork and Process.

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What Treatments are Available for Addiction?

There are a variety of treatments available for treating addiction, and the level of intensity depends on the severity and stage of recovery. The early stages of addiction may require medical oversight, to ensure that the addictive substance is fully free from the person’s body and there are no medical repercussions. Later stages will include seeking support for coping with cravings and developing techniques for coping with stress without using drugs, as well as repairing relationships that may have been damaged as a result of substance use.

Addiction treatments are typically completed in the following order:

Detox: This is often the first stage of entering a full-time rehabilitation program. Individuals are monitored in a medical setting as their body purges the addictive substance. Medical professionals are on hand to address side effects as they come up and prevent lasting damage to the individual’s body.
Inpatient treatment: This form of treatment involves the person suffering from addiction living full-time at an addiction treatment facility. There are limitations on what types of possessions they can bring with them, as well as limited communication with the outside world. Individuals sleep and eat at the facility, and dedicate themselves full-time to figuring out the root causes of their addiction and learning coping skills to help them cope with the stresses and problems of life without addictive substances.
Outpatient treatment: While this form of treatment usually involves the person returning to their home of origin, there are still expectations of completing a treatment plan and attending therapy. Often, the person will still attend therapy appointments based in the facility or an affiliate. Treatment can range from less than ten hours a week to the equivalent of a second job.
Intensive outpatient care: Some treatment centers offer a middle ground between inpatient and outpatient care. This is typically more structured than traditional outpatient care programs. This may be if the addicted individual has special medical needs, or needs more support than typical outpatient care but doesn’t need doily or hourly monitoring.
Aftercare: The belief that a person is “cured” of drug addiction once they leave a rehab program is a myth. Aftercare includes supporting the individual person as they leave rehab and work to build up resilience and healthy coping mechanisms for the outside world. Not every person who enters rehab participates in aftercare programs, and aftercare programs may not be the same across different rehabilitation centers.
Sober living: This final stage of recovery is all about the person re-integrating with their life after the intense reflection and self-work they’ve done throughout their time in treatment. Many individuals choose to spend some time at a sober living home before fully returning to their regular life, so as to practice the skills they’ve learned and focus on rebuilding relationships. They may appreciate the resources that this arrangement provides, as well as the opportunity to live in a setting where everyone understands their struggles and needs.

Recover From Drug Addiction at Melrose Recovery

At Melrose Recovery, we work to help you recover from addiction in a safe, supportive environment. We believe in using evidence-based solutions and offer a variety of therapy options to help you address the root causes of your addiction. People with mental illnesses will receive care that targets their dual diagnosis, to ensure they will be equipped to live a sober life they can maintain over time.

It’s never too late to receive help for your addiction. Contact us today to start your journey towards recovery.