It can significantly impact your emotional well-being, relationships, education and career. Substance abuse is defined as the use of illegal drugs, medications or alcohol for purposes other than those they were intended for or the excessive use of those substances. Substance abuse can be harmful in many ways, potentially leading to health issues, damaging interpersonal relationships or causing a person to lose their job. Supporting someone in their journey towards sobriety involves being patient, empathetic, and understanding. Encourage them to seek professional help and treatment, offer emotional support through difficult times, and celebrate their https://ecosoberhouse.com/ successes along the way.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder?
There is often a direct link between chemical alterations of the brain becoming visible through the eyes. Some drugs will cause redness or bloodshot eyes, while some will alter pupil size. It is important to pay attention to your loved one’s eyes, as that is usually a very telling indicator that they may be using drugs. Such changes increase the risk, creating further ramifications of physical and psychological harm. First, it’s important to know that there is no “type” of person who becomes addicted.
Treatment Options for Drug Addiction
For some individuals, substance abuse begins when they start socially experimenting with various substances. This can be the drug use symptoms case with drugs such as amphetamines, alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs. Fortunately forconcerned family members and friends, many characteristics of addiction are easy to identify, and many types of drug addictions share similar signs and symptoms. If someone can recognize the symptoms of addiction, they may be able to help a friend or family member who struggles with this disease. Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs.
Seeking Support for Addiction
Not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol has a substance abuse problem. Understanding the signs and symptoms of drug addiction is the first step towards getting help. This manifestation can be observed in several ways, making it an important indicator to watch for. Individuals using drugs may feel isolated and withdraw from social interactions, preferring to be alone. They Substance abuse may start avoiding activities they used to enjoy with friends and family, leading to a sense of loneliness and detachment.
Individualized, evidence based treatment, to fit your needs.
Your involvement with drugs begins to have negative consequences. It interferes with your functioning—you start missing obligations and events. You make excuses for yourself—to yourself and to others, about why you need the substance, about not showing up, about making mistakes at work, about how tomorrow will be different. You break promises to yourself that you will stop using—a source of self-contempt that has a way of perpetuating addiction by needing relief in the high of substance use. You get defensive or belligerent with loved ones or colleagues who want to know what’s going on; they notice peculiarities about your behavior or appearance that you are not likely to recognize. You maintain a belief that you can stop any time you want—despite evidence to the contrary.
- Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
- The experience of problems is central to the diagnosis of addiction.
- Psychological dependence is a term sometimes used to indicate the mental processes of addiction, but it has no real meaning given current understanding of the way the brain works.
- Many find success through support groups (like Narcotics Anonymous) and ongoing therapy.
- From spotting signs of drug use in adolescents to identifying them in the workplace and even in our loved ones, we’ll explore the various red flags and behaviors to watch out for.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
By accessing these support systems, individuals can find the help they need to overcome drug addiction and find techniques for successful recovery. In addition to the common signs and symptoms of drug use, there are several other indicators that may suggest someone is struggling with substance abuse. These additional signs can provide further insight into the presence of drug use and help guide intervention and support efforts. If you notice your loved one displaying signs of emotional instability or irritability, it’s important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. Remember that drug addiction is a disease and not a personal failing. Encourage your loved one to seek professional help and treatment to address the root cause of their emotional distress.
