Symptoms of Drug Abuse
The symptoms of drug abuse are many. Learning to identify them can help you detect whether or not someone you know or love has a drug problem or addiction.
One of the most obvious symptoms of drug abuse is a change in one’s health and appearance. Drugs like crack, speed, and heroin can make the user appear to be “sucked up” or emaciated with even moderate use. Vomiting, fever, and disorientation are side effects of heavy use or binges. Disinterest in one’s dress and hygiene can also be one of the symptoms of drug abuse.
Another one of the obvious symptoms of drug abuse is a change in behavior in the user. Emotional outbursts, irritability, and other uncharacteristic, erratic behaviors are warning signs of possible drug use. Staying out late frequently, or disappearing for days at a time, and the neglect of important responsibilities such as work or family time are symptoms of drug abuse as well. Irregular sleeping patterns, secretive or reclusive behavior, and isolation from friends and family, are also behaviors that might indicate possible drug abuse.
If any of these symptoms are visible in the individual, it is best to assume the worst and seek professional evaluation and treatment. Some of these identifiers may be symptoms of some other type of mental or physical illness, or may be simply due to stress. A physical check up and evaluation by a licensed doctor is necessary to obtain a correct diagnosis and plan a course of treatment or detoxification.
Educate yourself and others on the symptoms of drug abuse. The life you save may just end up being your own.
