DIVERGENT RECOVERY CENTER
Signs of Drug Abuse
According to the South East Addiction Center
Drug addiction can be tough to self-diagnose at times. However, there are many drug abuse signs to recognize. Whether you or someone you love, you should pay attention to physical, behavioral and psychological changes.
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Before looking into the signs of drug abuse, it is important to know that not everyone will have the same changes. For example, you may have more behavioral changes and fewer physical changes than someone else who abuses the same type of drug.
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If you are reading this for yourself, or to get a loved one the help they require, you have already taken a critical step that many people fail to take and pay terribly for it. All admissions to Southeast are made on an individualized basis. Each person’s unique needs, concerns, and treatment goals are thoroughly reviewed, and admissions will be based on those specifiers.
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Behavioral Signs Of Drug Abuse
In addition to the physical drug abuse symptoms, there may be behavioral changes, too. People who abuse drugs may lose control of their life. They may lose track of their values, morals and beliefs, as well.
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If you want to know how to tell if someone’s abusing drugs, some behavioral changes to look for include:
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Changes in how much or how well they socialize
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Lack of participation in hobbies or activities
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Performance issues at school or work
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Less participation in family events or activities
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Legal problems
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Dishonesty, deceit, and lying
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Being secretive
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Isolating themselves
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Neglecting personal, family, and work responsibilities
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Financial problems
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Psychological Drug Abuse Signs
If someone abuses drugs, they may experience psychological changes, as well. The person who is using drugs may act much differently than they usually do. They may feel and think differently, too.
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Some psychological signs that you may notice in someone who abuses drugs include:
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Mental health issues such as anxiety or depression
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Personality changes
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Increase in fear, obsessive thoughts, and paranoia
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Negative view of oneself
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A negative outlook on life
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Lack of motivation
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Not spending as much time with loved ones
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Losing interest in things
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Feelings of disconnect with others
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Sudden, moderate to severe mood swings
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Lack of motivation
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Irritability
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Many psychological changes can occur when someone is abusing drugs. If you notice these in someone you love, do your best to convince them to get treatment. An intervention might help. If you need to stop abusing drugs, you can get into a treatment program, too.
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Things To Remember When Talking About Drug Abuse And Treatment
There are many symptoms of drug abuse. Now that you know what they are, you can help someone in your life get drug addiction treatment if they need it. If you have been abusing drugs, you can get the treatment you require, as well.
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There are certain things to remember when talking about drug abuse and addiction treatment. Some of the things you need to remember include:
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Drug addiction is a disease and many changes occur with this disease.
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Blaming a person for their addiction will only make things worse.
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Don’t place judgment when talking to someone about drug abuse or addiction.
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Do your best to be understanding if you hold an intervention or speak to a loved one about drug abuse.
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Prepare yourself for the conversation ahead of time.
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Be ready for resistance.
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Remember to stay calm and patient during the conversation.
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If holding an intervention, make sure everyone knows the plan before starting.
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Time the conversation, so the person isn’t high or drunk during it.
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Keep things constructive during the conversation.
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Have resources available ahead of time in case the person agrees to go to treatment.
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Be as supportive as possible if the person you talk to agrees to go into a treatment program.
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Will you be talking to someone you love about their drug abuse? If so, doing these things will help the conversation to go more smoothly.
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