27 Signs That Someone Is On Drugs

These include things such as strong cravings, using more than planned, failed attempts to cut back, and continued use despite problems at work, at home, or in relationships. They may stop doing things they used to enjoy or skip out on time with friends or family. Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics are prescription central nervous system depressants. They’re often used and misused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to “switch off” or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings. Substituted cathinones, also called “bath salts,” are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Log in or create an account for a personalized experience based on your selected interests.

Resources and Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder

• When you’re wondering how to tell if someone is using drugs, physical signs can be your first indicator, followed by behavior and psychological changes.
• The Summit Wellness Group is located in Georgia and all of your calls will be directed to one of our local staff members.
• Addiction is often driven by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, with individuals using depressants for their calming effects, especially those with underlying mental health issues.
• Some individuals may try to cover them up with heavy use of perfumes or colognes, while others might neglect hygiene entirely 1.

The most common symptoms of DIP9 include distorted perceptions, hallucinations, disorientation, and memory problems. Rajnandini is a psychologist and writer dedicated to making mental health knowledge accessible. With over five years of experience in the field, she specializes in translating research into evidence-based, easy-to-understand content. If they have withdrawal symptoms, these things can show up when they’re not using. Treatment can ease withdrawal, support recovery, and help you take control of your life.

Warning signs of prescription drug abuse

The longer drug abuse continues, the stronger the addiction becomes and the marijuana addiction harder it is to treat. If you or someone you care about may have an addiction, talk to your provider right away. Drug addiction is not merely a result of poor decision-making or weak willpower. It is a disease that physically alters the brain’s structure and function, particularly in the areas involved in reward, motivation, and memory. Choosing the right addiction treatment ensures long-term recovery success.

If you find smoking devices, needles, oil vaporizers, or stashes of different devices needed for drug use, you may want to discuss with your loved one what those items are and why they have them. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products. These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.

Opioids

Drug dependence refers to a physical reliance on a substance, where the body adapts to the drug, leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when it is not used. In contrast, drug addiction encompasses a broader behavioral aspect, characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior and continued use despite negative consequences. While dependence occurs without addiction, addiction involves both a physical and psychological component, making it more challenging to overcome. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) plays a vital role in managing addiction. MAT integrates medications with counseling and behavioral therapies, addressing the complex interplay of physical dependence and psychological issues in substance use disorders. This approach stabilizes individuals during critical early recovery stages and supports long-term success by reducing relapse risk and improving overall mental health.

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Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis). They’re often used and misused in search of a “high,” or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite. Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death.

Drugs interact with the brain to cause addiction by targeting the brain’s reward system, flooding it with dopamine. This leads to repeated use, eventually causing changes in neural circuits that result in addiction. The brain’s reward center becomes used to receiving the dopamine spike that occurs when drugs are received into the system, making it harder and harder to stop, resulting in increased dependence. The risks of overdosing on drugs are both significant and devastating, highlighted by escalating trends and sobering statistics that underscore the persistent challenge of drug overdose in the United States.

Next Steps Toward Recovery

According to CDC data, 16% of opioid overdose deaths involve benzodiazepines, highlighting their danger. Tobacco or nicotine addiction, clinically referred to as tobacco use disorder, is a condition marked by the compulsive use of tobacco products, primarily driven by the body’s dependence on nicotine. This chemical is highly addictive, affecting the same brain pathways as heroin and cocaine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2020 report highlights that nicotine addiction is the most prevalent form of chemical dependence in the United https://ecosoberhouse.com/ States.

Opioid addiction is a severe medical condition characterized by an uncontrollable urge to use opioid drugs despite harmful consequences to one’s health and well-being. Opioids, which include both illegal drugs like heroin and prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone and morphine, act on the nervous system to produce pain-relieving and euphoric effects. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, 2020), opioid addiction disrupts significant aspects of life, leading to physical and psychological dependence that drug use symptoms requires more than willpower to overcome. The signs and symptoms of substance use disorder include persistent cravings, withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and tremors, loss of control over consumption, and neglect of daily responsibilities. Physical and behavioral changes manifest through altered sleep patterns, mood swings, and declining personal care. Drug addiction is a complex condition that affects millions in the United States.

• It’s crucial to seek help as soon as you develop signs of addiction.
• A 2021 study by the American Psychological Association highlights that chronic users might experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression and, in some cases, the onset of psychosis.

Physical addictions involve substance dependence, leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Drug abuse and drug addiction are not the same thing, even though they’re often confused. Drug abuse is the misuse of drugs, which can include using drugs recreationally or without a prescription.

More on Substance Abuse and Addiction

• Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products.
• If you notice that your loved one has a drastic change in their usual mood, either they are extremely euphoric or drowsy, it could indicate drug use.
• Addiction is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management.

A history of trauma, abuse, or ongoing stress can raise your chances of misusing substances as a way to feel better. Examples include prescription sleeping medications such as zolpidem (Ambien, Intermezzo, others) and zaleplon (Sonata). People can speak with a primary care doctor if they experience SUD symptoms or if they are concerned about a loved one who may have an SUD. In the United States, 1 in 7 people aged 12 years and older report having an SUD. The condition can affect any person regardless of age, race and ethnicity, income level, or gender. The severity of SUD symptoms and their impact on a person’s life can vary.

What Is The Difference Between Behavioral Addictions And Drug Addictions?

You can’t prevent all cases of substance use disorder because there are a lot of factors (many of which are outside of your control) that could play a role in how the condition develops. A provider will also ask about your mental health history, as it’s common to have an SUD and a mental health condition. Sometimes called the “opioid epidemic,” addiction to opioid prescription pain medicines has reached an alarming rate across the United States. Some people who’ve been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment.