Substance abuse can severely impact mental health, often leading to noticeable psychological changes and emotional instability. The user begins to neglect personal hygiene and develops extreme sleep patterns of insomnia or excessive fatigue. They may lose weight, have bleary, red eyes, https://imsolution.ca/2024/12/17/what-is-sober-curious-alcohol-and-drug-foundation-2/ slurred speech, and even experience tremors and nausea if going through withdrawal. Common signs and symptoms of opioid addiction include lethargy, slow or shallow breathing, nausea, poor coordination, constipation, and jitteriness. Mental and emotional states are affected and may result in depression, anxiety, irritability or euphoria, or mood swings.
The severity of addiction is only partially related to the amount of substance a person uses. The difference between mild and severe addiction is the number of the 11 DSM addiction criteria a person meets. The criteria relate to ability to control use, the negative impact use has on self and life, and the existence of physiological dependence.
Marijuana, hashish and other cannabis-containing substances
Drug use doesn’t just affect the heart – it can substance abuse in older adults also disrupt the respiratory system, causing noticeable breathing problems. Unfamiliar odors or stains on clothing can further hint at drug use early signs. Addressing these discoveries promptly is key to helping someone in need. Someone might start missing deadlines or failing to meet usual expectations, especially after a traumatic event.
Neglecting Personal Hygiene
- Social isolation is common among individuals who are using substances, often due to feelings of guilt, shame, or an attempt to hide their behavior.
- That’s why rebuilding healthy routines, setting goals, and exploring new hobbies are essential steps in recovery.
- Addiction—to prescription and street drugs and alcohol —is a serious problem.
Sweating, body tremors, or even vomiting can be signs, as can weight loss or gain. Knowing the signs that someone is on drugs may help you identify when there is a problem. Taking steps to address this problem may save your loved one’s life. If you believe that your loved one is, in fact, abusing drugs or alcohol, talking to them about getting help is critical. These might seem minor at first, but they can hint at deeper problems caused by substance use. Fortunately, with proper treatment and time, healthy sleep patterns can be restored.
Reaching Out for Substance Use Recovery Help
Because the brain uses a disproportionate amount of energy to power its many high-level functions, thiamine deficiency can lead to damage to the mitochondria of nerve cells. These signs, similar to those of intoxication, exist in the absence of drinking. When that substance is suddenly unavailable, that absence leaves many brain operations exposed and interferes with the various functions. There is no objective measure of the strength of cravings, but they are highly dynamic and fluctuate, varying in intensity and duration in any individual throughout the course of a day.
Understanding Drug Addiction
- From intensive outpatient programs to tailored therapy options, there are many paths to recovery.
- It is also wise to get help from your physician, family members, sober friends, and 12-Step support groups to overcome SUD and remain abstinent over time.
- However, recognizing these signs early can be crucial for intervention and recovery.
- They may become moody and not want to talk to you or anyone that may notice changes due to drug use.
- Substance users may have dilated pupils or glazed eyes, slurred speech, and ramble when they talk.
A provider can help you make adjustments throughout your life as needed. Medications can help modify your brain chemistry to help treat certain SUDs. It’s common to have more than one SUD at a time, like alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder. Substance abuse often masks or worsens existing mental health issues. Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a alcoholism drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure.
Dependence specifically refers to the effects of the process of neural adaptation to a psychoactive substance. It is a common feature of addiction, but not the totality of the more complex disorder. Addiction involves both the mind and the body—and every other facet of existence, because they all interact. There is no real distinction between physical addiction and psychological addiction. Substances of abuse affect the reward system of the brain, mediated by the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Remember that seeking addiction recovery support isn’t shameful—it’s a courageous step toward healing. With proper treatment, recovery from substance use disorders is achievable, along with freedom from the guilt and shame that often accompany addiction. If you recognize these substance abuse warning signs, know that effective treatment options exist. Learn the key symptoms of substance abuse, including behavioral, physical, and psychological signs, to help recognize and respond to addiction early. There are both physical and behavioral clues that someone might be experiencing a problem with substance use.
- Their activation gives rise to the sense of motivation, experienced as a highly focused urge to seek the substance.
- Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance.
- These signs, similar to those of intoxication, exist in the absence of drinking.
- This type of symptom affects not only the individual but also family, friends, and coworkers.
- As the brain heals, it can begin to find joy in natural activities again.
Sudden shifts in spending habits – like unusual purchases or prioritizing substances over essentials – are also key red flags. These verbal patterns often go hand-in-hand with noticeable behavioral changes. Substance abuse takes a toll on the body, often triggering health problems that weren’t there before. These issues can affect vital organs like the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, and even teeth, leading to a cascade of complications.
Signs and symptoms of substance use disorder
This back-and-forth can make life chaotic and relationships fragile, emphasizing the importance of seeking help. If you come across drug or alcohol-related equipment, it’s essential to seek professional advice right away. This could be a critical step in addressing the problem before it worsens.
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Because of the ups and downs involved with drug abuse, you may notice that this person is showing more depressive side effects, especially when they’re coming down from a high. They may choose to sleep all the time or not want to do anything that requires them to be out of reach of their drug. They may be depressed when they are not high or start to look at themselves negatively. Being Dishonest or Sneaky, Hiding Things, or Needing Increased Privacy.
Alcohol, meanwhile, claims 140,000 lives every year, making it the fourth-leading preventable cause of death. Substances can impair judgment, sap motivation, and lead to forgetfulness, making it harder to maintain hygiene routines. Financial struggles often play a role too, as money that might otherwise go toward hygiene products is redirected to sustain the addiction. For example, stimulants such as cocaine or amphetamines can lead to extended periods of wakefulness, often followed by a crash that lasts 12–16 hours.
