Drug Abuse Symptoms

Many people who don't think of themselves as drug abusers can become dependent on chemical substances, either legal or illegal. A common thread that runs through all drug abusers is loss of control. When a drug takes over your life, it's time to seek help. Drug abuse is a widespread problem that affects people from all socioeconomic levels. The symptoms of abuse and addiction differ slightly based upon the drug that is being taken. Drug abuse and addiction cause many health related and social problems.

Several of the following symptoms or signs occur when a person is addicted to a drug. The person may: be unable to cut down on drug use when he or she wants to, continue to use the drug despite the problems it causes, develop tolerance for the drug so that increased amounts are needed to get the same effect, find that the drug causes problems in life such as getting in trouble with the law, have cravings or grow irritable when the drug cannot be used, skip some important activities because of the drug, spend a large amount of time getting-using- or getting over the drug, use the drug more often or more heavily than intended.

Here is a List of Drug Abuse Symptoms:

SOCIAL
• Changing several friends or changing peer groups
• Suddenly popular with friends who are older and unknown to family
• Becoming involved with peers when formerly isolated from peers
• More frequent phone calls
• Social activities occurring more often, sometimes at odd hours
• Thrill seeking behaviors - evidenced by law breaking, promiscuity, and other dangerous physical situations

FAMILY
• Isolation from family members (hiding in room, locking bedroom door, and avoiding family activities)
• Exhibiting negative attitude toward rules and parents
• Failing to follow through on promises
• Sneaking out of the house
• Becoming manipulative
• Lying

SCHOOL
• Lacking motivation and lower grades
• Sleeping in class
• Skipping class or school
• Dropping out of school activities
• Becoming disrespectful of teachers, administrators, and rules
• Frequently being disciplined
• Suspended or Expelled

PHYSICAL
• Smelling of alcohol, marijuana, or stale smoke
• Frequent minor illnesses (headaches, nausea, slight tremors, flu-like symptoms, vomiting, sluggishness)
• Neglects taking prescribed medications or takes more medications than usual
• Memory lapses
• Weight changes or unusual eating patterns (types of foods, amounts, time of day)
• Frequent use of eye drops for bloodshot eyes
• Change in normal sleep patterns (more or less than usual, frequent naps)
• Injuries occurring more often
• Frequent infections or infections which don't heal
• More frequent complaints of pain or illness

LEGAL
• Shoplifting or stealing from family members
• Unruly behaviors like skipping school and not following family rules
• Incidents or charges for public intoxication, DUI, vandalism, breaking and entering, underage alcohol/tobacco use
• Involved in car accidents or near misses
• Selling drugs

EMOTIONAL
• Impaired judgment (putting self in dangerous situations)
• Talking about or attempting suicide
• Violent or threatening (verbally or physically)
• Lethargic or apathetic
• Mood swings
• Burned Out
• Operating at an inappropriate maturity level

OTHER
• Poor management of money
• Spending large sums of money and asking for money
• Having drug paraphernalia in bedroom or school locker
• Reading drug oriented magazines
• Wearing drug oriented clothing and accessories
• Using drug slang, talking about drugs