Stay tuned to learn valuable insights that can help you navigate these situations with clarity and understanding. Isolation and change in the social circle are common indicators of substance use. When individuals struggle with substance abuse, they may naturally distance themselves from loved ones, encounter problems with friends, and experience feelings of shame.

What are the Signs of Addiction?

However, it’s important to remember that these signs are not definitive proof of drug use on their own. If you suspect someone may be using drugs, it’s crucial to seek professional help and support to address the situation effectively. A widely used clinical tool is the Addiction Severity Index, which provides a broad view of problems related to substance use.

• As drugs become the primary focus of someone’s life, they often spend more and more time using and obtaining drugs.
• Physical addictions often require medical treatment, as withdrawal can cause unpleasant symptoms.
• It’s important to note that the presence of marks or bruises alone does not definitively indicate drug use, as other factors may also contribute to their occurrence.
• Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist.

Common Signs of Addiction

Financial difficulties and unexplained expenses can also be indicative of drug use. Substance abuse often requires a significant financial investment alcoholism treatment to sustain the habit. Individuals struggling with drug use may experience financial strain due to their ongoing need for drugs or other substances.

Addiction can affect every aspect of life, including physical health, mental well-being, and social life. Drug misuse or abuse can have devastating consequences, both direct and indirect. Some drugs have a high risk of addiction, overdose, and long-term health effects. Drug addiction, or substance use disorder, is a disease that can affect a person’s brain and behavior. The use of legal or illegal drugs eventually becomes a compulsive need, so they can’t control their use or stop despite the harm it causes.

What Is Substance Use Disorder? Symptoms and How to Get Help

Recovery often requires addressing the guilt and shame people feel over their own addictive behavior. Left unaddressed, such painful negative self-related feelings can seek quick relief in drug use before impulse control is regained. Each individual requires a tailored treatment plan and professionals may apply many different, evidence-based approaches in the treatment of a substance use disorder (SUD). This list covers many of the common methods used in treatment centers and private practices nationwide. Once you’ve been addicted to a drug, you’re at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time.

The isolation creates an environment where substance use is less likely to be scrutinized, allowing the individual to continue their behavior without interference. Denial and defensiveness are common behaviors exhibited by individuals struggling with substance abuse. When confronted about their substance use, it is not unusual for them to avoid questions, deflect blame, or downplay the severity of their behavior. They may insist that they do not have a problem, accusing others of overreacting or misunderstanding their situation. This strong response is often rooted in their inability or unwillingness to face the reality of their addiction. Denial acts as a protective mechanism, allowing individuals to avoid feelings of shame or guilt about their substance use.

Depending on the severity, a healthcare provider may offer medications to lessen the effects of withdrawal symptoms, as they can be rough physically and mentally. Recognizing the signs of drug use is an important step in helping a loved one who may be struggling with addiction. If you notice any of the signs mentioned in this article, it’s important to talk to your loved one and offer your support.

If someone you care about seems to be pulling away or changing their social circles without explanation, it may be worth having a deeper conversation. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Substituted cathinones, also called “bath salts,” are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products.

Addiction

The number of criteria a person meets determines the severity of the SUD. Healthcare professionals diagnose SUDs using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR). Peer pressure and casual experimentation can escalate things quickly, especially when substance use is portrayed as https://www.thanksayurveda.com/2024/02/15/how-does-alcohol-affect-mental-health/ harmless or glamorous in media.

Others simply stop caring as their time is consumed by the high and then getting more of their drug so they can get high again. There is often a direct link between chemical alterations of the brain becoming visible through the eyes. Some drugs will cause redness or bloodshot eyes, while some will alter pupil size. It is important to pay attention to your loved one’s eyes, as that is usually a very telling indicator that they may be using drugs. Advanced signs of addiction include missing medication; burnt or missing spoons and/or bottle caps, syringes; small bags with powder residue; and missing shoelaces and/or belts. If someone has symptoms of an SUD, they can talk with their healthcare professional.

The dangerous cycle of tolerance and increased use often leads to overdose, as individuals consume more than their bodies can safely handle in an attempt to replicate the desired effect. Tolerance build-up is another critical indicator of growing addiction, highlighting how the body adapts to repeated exposure to a substance. Over time, the body becomes less sensitive to the substance’s effects, requiring larger signs of drug use or more frequent doses to produce the same level of euphoria or relief. When a substance, such as alcohol, opioids, or other drugs, is repeatedly consumed, it alters the brain’s chemistry by overstimulating certain receptors. To compensate, the brain reduces the sensitivity or number of these receptors, diminishing the substance’s impact. Withdrawal symptoms are one of the most telling signs of physical dependence on a substance.

Knowing how to tell if someone is on drugs can help you recognize when professional help is needed. These changes can manifest in both physical and psychological symptoms. If the drug fulfills a valuable need, you may find yourself increasingly relying on it.