Signs A Loved One Has A Drug Addiction

By Author: Care Addiction
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Do you have reason to suspect that a loved one has a drug use problem? How do you know if frustration, erupting emotions, stress or uncertainty is originating from a substance use addiction?

If you believe your loved one is addicted to drugs, looking for these signs can help you decide if you should confront them. A loved one who gets help as soon as possible has a greater chance of long-term recovery.

What is Drug Addiction?

Addiction, as defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, is a chronic disease that changes the reward centers in the brain. Individuals use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.

Substance use becomes an addiction when an individual has attempted to stop and has not been successful, or there are major impairments in life with work, family, or financial situations that are related to substance use.

Symptoms of drug addiction include:

Increased Tolerance: ...
... when an individual needs to consume increasingly greater quantities to experience the desired effect.

Cravings: when no matter what an individual does to distract themself, thoughts go back to drugs and using.

Withdrawal: if trying to quit, or not having access for several hours after use, the individual experiences withdrawal symptoms.

Harmful Consequences: drug use is continued in spite of harm caused to the drug user, the drug user's life and the lives of those around the user.

Signs of Drug Addiction

While an individual might be able to recognize symptoms of drug addiction in themselves, these symptoms are not always recognizable to family or loved ones.

Instead, family and loved ones can look for physical signs of drug addiction and changes in behavior.

Physical signs of drug addiction:

Presence of injection equipment like a syringe, burned spoon and lighter.
Individuals who snort or smoke drugs like cocaine or marijuana commonly suffer from nasal, lung and chest problems.
Unusual cuts, bruises and sores: Individuals who inject drugs commonly suffer from skin infections.
Rapid weight loss.
Frequent illness.
Loss of motivation or energy.
Unusual behavior.
Change in responsiveness.
Hallucinations.
Confusion, sleepiness, coma.
Frequent blackouts.
Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea.

Behavioral signs of drug addiction:

Secretive behavior, lying about consumption habits.
Unexplained expenditures.
Neglecting their own appearance and hygiene.
Mood swings, depression, anger, aggression, violence.
Using air fresheners and lozenges to cover drug smells in the air and the breath.
Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, choosing drug use over all else.
Being around other drug users or trying to get others to use drugs.
Problems at school, work or with the law.

What To Do If A Loved One Displays Signs Of Drug Addiction

Having a loved one suffer from addiction is heart-breaking. If you suspect that your loved one may be addicted to drugs and they are exhibiting one or more signs of addiction, feel free to contact us and we can help walk you through what to do next. We are here to help.

If you are seeing even two of these symptoms from a loved one, consider talking to a substance abuse counselor or professional yourself. Why? So you can reach out and get the support and skills to:

Have an intervention, or at the very least a conversation.
Start to build the framework of what it looks like to get treatment - so when that conversation comes up you can talk to them about what’s involved.

These skills can help you talk to your loved one and approach the topic from a place of genuine care and concern instead of spilling accusations that may cause any individual to respond with anger and turn away.

Want to hear about signs of drug addiction from those that have traveled the path to sobriety? Listen to the Sober.Coffee podcast with Mike and Glenn, sharing stories of experience, strength and hope in recovery.

Addiction recovery is possible, even in very late stages. At Care Addiction Center, we provide effective drug treatment programs for all types of substances. If you are concerned and want to know if a loved one has an addiction, give Care Addiction Center a call at: (630) 402-0144.

Care Addiction Center provides compassionate, confidential & professional treatment services for adults suffering from alcohol & substance abuse. We believe that recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction is possible, even in very late stages. Our experienced and caring staff is dedicated to providing comprehensive drug treatment services for alcoholism and substance abuse with multiple levels of care. Substance Abuse Treatment for Kane County, Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, Elburn, South Elgin, West Chicago, and Aurora Illinois.