Recognition can save a life.
We all desperately don’t want to believe that the worst is true, so we naturally make excuses for the adverse and erratic behaviors in the life of our loved ones. To call it a difficult cross to bear is an understatement.
When we see someone we love suffer, be it a family member or friend, it destroys a little piece of us each day too.
The wave of addiction that crashes over them touches you too on an emotional level and it can wash you away as well or land like a mist of uncertainty.
That uncertainty is where the bystander lives. It’s an utterly stark grey area and it’s where your action needs to take place though because with addiction there is precious little certainty other than letting it go unchecked is asking for more pain all around.
The signs of someone addicted to drugs are therefore monumentally important to look out for. Some are subtle while others are more obvious but taken together they tell the story of addiction. Knowing what to look for means you can step in before it’s too late.
Different Signs of Someone Addicted to Drugs
Addiction is a whole body and mind experience. It affects everything the user does and every part of their being. Given that, the signs of addiction manifest themselves in each part of someone’s life.
What does that mean though?
It means that the symptoms of addictions show themselves physically, behaviorally and psychologically.
While certain signs are unique to certain substances, what we’ll cover here are the general signs you’d see for most any addiction:
Physical Signs of Someone Addicted to Drugs
- Dilated and/or bloodshot eyes
- Cravings for drugs or alcohol
- A significant change in eating habits with weight shifting dramatically up or down
- Greatly diminished attention to personal hygiene and a general deterioration of physical appearance
- Unusual odors and bizarre smells on body and breath
- Appearing malnourished
- Loss of coordination or poor coordination
- Slurring speech
- Tremors and shakes
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after any attempt to stop
Behavioral Signs of Someone Addicted to Drugs
- More and more absent from important responsibilities related to school, family, work, etc.
- Diminishing performance at work or school
- A total inability to cut back on using, even when trying to in earnest
- Secretive about activities and whereabouts
- Strange absences
- Borrowing or possibly even stealing to fund their substance abuse and addiction
- Legal/financial issues
- A change in priorities and riskier behavior
- New, questionable friend group that is into drugs
- Continuing to use drugs despite the troubles they’re obviously creating
- Significantly changed sleeping patterns, either getting too much or too little
Psychological Signs of Someone Addicted to Drugs
- Lack of motivation
- A general and noticeable shift in personality
- Lethargic
- Irritable
- Moodiness and prone to outbursts
- Easily confused
- Withdrawing from people/society
- Anxious
- Inattentive
- Paranoia
- Depression
As you can see, addiction takes a toll. A major one.
The difference between life and death, and that’s real talk, is paying attention and then taking action.
How to Get My Loved One Help With Their Drug Addiction
If your brother, dad, uncle or any other man in your life that you genuinely care about is spiraling downward due to drug addiction, there is something you can do. At Valley Recovery Center we can help set up an intervention or advise you on the next steps at whatever stage of addiction your loved one is at.
While they may be suffering through addiction on an island, finding solutions isn’t something you need to do alone.
Give us a call because recognition can save a life and now is the time to act on it!
