It’s essential to know how to spot a substance use disorder developing. Whether you’re worried about yourself or someone you love, knowing the early signs of drug addiction can help immensely. It can be life-saving to decide to go to a drug rehab center for detoxing and going through a drug addiction treatment program.
Drug addiction can change how someone acts, feels, and looks. If you observe a close friend or family member thoroughly, it wouldn’t be difficult to identify early signs of drug addiction if they’re already unconsciously showing them.
If you think someone you know has a drug addiction problem, immediately seek help. Looking for a drug detox center in Columbus, Ohio? Contact Ethan Crossing of Columbus online or call 855.476.0078 to find out more about our drug addiction treatment programs.
What Are the Physical Signs of Drug Addiction?
Physical signs are usually the easiest to observe and confirm. You can look for the following signs of drug addiction:
- Bloodshot eyes: If they’re addicted to heroin, the individual is more likely to have miosis or constricted pupils. Many people with drug addictions also have bloodshot eyes.
- Change in complexion: Some drug use can lead to bruises, scabs, scars, and track marks on the body. Substance abuse can also lead to pale or jaundiced skin, along with acne.
- Poor hygiene: Physical cleanliness and taking care of oneself can decline in people who have drug addictions. They may bathe, brush their teeth, or change clothes infrequently.
- Signs of sleep disturbances: Drug addiction can also cause difficulty sleeping at night or sleeping for too long. This can lead to weakness, tiredness, and fatigue during the day.
- Sudden weight loss: In particular, people who are addicted to meth, ecstasy, and cocaine may lose their appetite often. Subsequently, they may lose weight.
What Are the Behavioral Signs of Drug Addiction?
Abnormal behavior can also be easy to spot in anyone with drug addiction. Some significant behavioral signs of drug addiction include:
- Being insubordinate or irritable: Acting poorly, especially when it’s in front of authorities or people who should be respected, can be a clear sign of drug addiction. It’s a form of making bad decisions, which arises because their drug addiction fully occupies them.
- Being secretive and seeking solitude: Someone with a drug addiction may constantly look for privacy and a secure place to be alone to use drugs.
- Ignoring responsibilities: When someone has a substance use disorder, the substance becomes their main priority. Work, school, and home responsibilities may fall by the wayside. They may even stop going to work or school.
- Making bad financial decisions: If someone is addicted to expensive drugs, they may need to keep making or borrowing money without telling anyone what it’s for. If someone you love is selling belongings or taking out loans for no reason, it could be a sign that they have a substance use disorder. Some people even resort to theft to fund their substance use.
What Are the Psychological Signs of Drug Addiction?
There are very early psychological signs of drug addiction, but they could be harder to spot than physical and behavioral signs. Some of the most common psychological signs of drug addiction and the need for a substance abuse treatment center include:
- Depression and anxiety: In some cases, these may actually be the cause of someone developing a substance use disorder – or they might have developed alongside the addiction. Symptoms of depression and anxiety can also be signs of drug addiction – such as losing interest in their passions, changes in weight and sleep patterns, and more.
- Decreased self-esteem: Along with losing interest in their passions, people with drug addictions can lose confidence in their abilities or looks.
- Mood swings: Drug addiction can also lead to unpredictable temperament. If someone you know experiences sudden agitation or anger that feels out of proportion to the situation, they may have a substance use disorder.
Learn About Drug Addiction Treatment Programs at Ethan Crossing of Columbus
If you’ve observed some of these early warning signs in a friend or family member, remember that addressing the issue is the only way to help them. Contact Ethan Crossing of Columbus online or call 855.476.0078 to learn more about our drug addiction treatment programs.
