Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Symptoms of Drug Addiction

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Symptoms of drug
addiction

Drug addiction
is a cycle.

It starts with the
introduction of the drug and progresses into dependence and full blown
addiction.

There are gradients to this
process and each individual is different.

There is a difference between drug abuse and drug addiction,
and that differences hinges on the ability of the user to choose.

When a person reaches the point at which they
can no longer choose to not use the drug, they are addicted.

That is a simple definition, but an accurate
one.


Many don’t want
treatment

The last person
to admit that there is an addiction problem is the addict.

In order to get their life back on track and
avoid the complications of long-term addiction, the only answer is
treatment.

That is sometimes much easier
said than done because the addict will deny having an addiction. They will
always say they can handle it, or if they do admit to having a problem it’s
their problem and not yours.

They don’t
want treatment because treatment means they can’t use the drug.

Drug addiction is a
downward cycle

Addiction is a cycle, so there are things
to watch for to see if someone you know, or someone you love is in
trouble.

First and foremost, if you know
them well you will likely notice a change.

It can be as subtle as becoming a little moody, to as obvious as extreme
weight loss or a serious decline in health.

As the disease of drug addiction progresses, the drug of
choice will become the focal point of the addict’s life, so they will always
make sure they have a supply of drug on hand.

There is often a measure of deception involved in being an
addict, so they might slip away to get their fix, leaving the family or friends
for a while before reemerging.

Some
addicts may prefer solitude over any contact with family and friends, spending
most of their time alone in their room. These are still sometimes subtle
changes, but significant ones.

The drug gains
control of the brain

As the drug
takes control of their lives addicts will begin to miss work, calling in “sick”
on a more regular basis.

Teenagers may
lose interest in their schoolwork, or stop hanging with their friends.

The disease makes addicts do things they otherwise would
never think of doing, like stealing money from their own family.

An addict who craves drugs may even take
medicine away from a family member.

I
once knew a woman who took pain medication from her own mother, who was
suffering with cancer. They will steal money, household objects, and
electronics, anything they can sell for money to get their drug of choice.

Extreme mood swings

People will
become paranoid at times, or they have extreme mood swings and are so easily
irritated. In some cases, addicts can become violent and commit unspeakable
acts under the influence of their drug.

Symptoms of drug
addiction can sometimes be very obvious.

An alcoholic, for example, will keep drinking, even well beyond the
point of intoxication.

A visit to their
room is likely to reveal empty bottles.

But those addicted to other drugs may conceal it better they will try to hide the symptoms of drug addiction.

There are tell-tale signs, such as drug
paraphernalia—a spoon with burn marks, tin foil, a glass pipe, shoestrings to
tie off an arm for injecting the drug, or syringes.

Addiction causes MANY health problems

Long-term
addiction is going to cause health problems.

Unlike other drugs, alcohol gets into every pour of the body and
lingers.

Alcoholics can literally drink
themselves to death, ignoring all of the warning signs to the point where there
is massive liver and kidney failure, heart problems, respiratory arrest and a
host of other major medical issues.

Even
after being told they are going to die, alcoholics will insist on
drinking.

It’s tragic.

Addicts,
depending on their drug of choice, will sleep too much, or maybe not at
all.

They might have a voracious
appetite, or go days without eating.

They might be high energy, or listless.

Take away the drug and they will go into withdrawal, which is another
set of symptoms of drug addiction.

The may experience tremors, dry mouth, sweating, nausea, hallucinations, muscle and bone pain,
severe mood swings and can develop involuntary muscle twitches.

The important thing
for family and friends is to observe and watch for symptoms of drug
addiction.

Family members know their
loved ones, so just watching for something that doesn’t fit will likely produce
results.

Don’t be afraid to speak up and
take action, because you just might be saving a life.

That concludes our section on symptoms of drug addiction visit the home page for more information.



and Finally Remember:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
– Matthew 7:7-8




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