If you think that your friend, child or family member has a drug addiction, you should get acquainted with the warning signs of abuse and dependence. If you realize that someone you care about does have a drug problem, you should seek the help of a mental health professional such as a social worker or psychologist. You can also attend meetings for loved ones of people that abuse drugs such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon meetings.
Physical Signs
Someone who abuses drugs will show physical signs of the addiction. Each drug has different signs and symptoms; however, there are some overall signs to look for. For example, a person who abuses drugs may have lots of energy at some points in time and have no energy at other times, may seem confused or disoriented, lose or gain weight and experience health issues. If the person is injecting drugs, she may wear long sleeves and long pants in the summer to hide the track marks.
People can become dependent on drugs such as alcohol and heroin. When someone uses these drugs regularly, her body builds up a tolerance for the drug which means the person has to use more and more of the drug to get high. If the person can't get the drug in time or tries to stop, she may experience withdrawal symptoms such as chills, fever, vomiting and agitation.
Emotional Signs
There are also emotional signs that someone is addicted to drugs. He may seem extremely happy for periods of time and depressed other times, become extremely irritable when coming down off a high, seem paranoid or experience delusions and seem calm or spaced out for a few hours at a time. The physical and emotional symptoms of drug use can lead someone to display related behaviors.
Behavioral Signs
Someone who is abusing drugs may not care about his appearance. He might wear the same clothes for a few days in a row, not shower and not shave. A woman who usually wears makeup and does her hair on a regular basis may stop wearing makeup and wear her unwashed hair in a ponytail. People who are addicted to drugs usually make drug use a priority over work and relationships. Therefore, they may get fired for not completing tasks or missing work, and they may not be able to maintain long-lasting relationships.
Teenagers who abuse drugs usually skip school, have a decrease in grades, become irritable and shut themselves off from their parents. They may deny their drug use or the seriousness of the use and behave recklessly. For instance, they may drink and drive or have unprotected sex with strangers.
