It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider. Unfortunately, media representations have painted many misleading caricatures of how a person suffering from substance abuse disorder appears or behaves. Often, people do not acknowledge that they have a problem, and friends or family members are the first to notice something has changed. If you are worried that you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction, uncertainty makes it hard to proceed.

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members

These changes signal the potential onset of drug addiction or misuse. If you notice someone’s daily habits or personality becoming unrecognizable, it could point to a substance use disorder. If you are concerned about a loved one who is showing signs of addiction, express your concern to them and encourage them to get a formal evaluation by a doctor or mental health professional. During this evaluation, they will receive a diagnosis and will also be provided with different treatment options that best meet their needs.

Understanding rehab

Coworkers or classmates may report multiple thefts or missing personal items. Neglect of personal hygiene and appearance https://capitalmusichall.com/index.php/2023/06/05/14-reasons-to-stay-sober-how-you-can-stay-sober/ and adoption of unusual dress habits may signal involvement in drug use. This may include wearing wrinkled or dirty clothes and paying little or no attention to hair grooming and cleanliness, which are a reflection of low self image. Some teens may dress inappropriately, wear inappropriate make up, and get body piercing or tattoos.

• 1 in 5 teens has abused prescription medications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• There is no objective measure of the strength of cravings, but they are highly dynamic and fluctuate, varying in intensity and duration in any individual throughout the course of a day.

How to maintain a healthy lifestyle during recovery

It’s also important to know the signs of drug use and intervene early to help teens who are at risk for or have already developed substance use disorders. Conditions like allergies or infections can cause similar symptoms. However, when these changes occur alongside other physical or behavioral signs, it’s worth paying closer attention. If you’re concerned, treatment programs like those at Ikon Recovery Center provide thorough evaluations and care for both the physical and mental challenges of substance use. These criteria are measured on a spectrum of mild, moderate, and severe.

Substance Abuse Disorder vs. Stress or Anxiety

Addictive substances alter the brain’s natural circadian rhythm which can actually cause sleep disturbances well after someone has stopped using the drug. Increased drug abuse can lead to anxiety or paranoia, especially if the drug has left their system and they are experiencing withdrawal. When drug use becomes a priority in someone’s life, hygiene and outward appearance may become less and less important.

People may begin by borrowing small amounts of money from friends and family, then start asking for more – or even stealing from people who once trusted them. This sort of anti-social or self-destructive behaviour is another major warning sign of drug use and addiction. As people continue to use drugs over a period of time, changes in physiology inevitably occur and leave them feeling worse when the drug has left their system. The longer a drug is used, the more intense the withdrawal can become, until the person is too scared to discontinue use because he or she knows it will cause them to feel horrible. As tolerance increases, withdrawal symptoms may become more apparent, particularly when individuals are not able to access large quantities of their drug of choice.

• It may help you to remember that substance use disorder is a disease that your loved one is struggling with and not a personal flaw.
• Frequent use of eye drops or air fresheners can be warning signs.
• The same factors also increase the likelihood that they will engage in risky behaviour such as unsafe sex or driving under the influence, or begin gambling compulsively.
• Many signs of drug use in teens are typical young adult behavior.
• Each individual component of drug abuse makes it difficult to sustain even the most important relationships in life.

Once you’ve been addicted to a drug, you’re at high risk of falling back into a pattern of addiction. If you do start using the drug, it’s likely you’ll lose control over its use again — even if you’ve had treatment and you haven’t used the drug for some time. Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly warning signs of drug use risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug.

Effective Addiction Treatment

Drug abuse and addiction is less about the type or amount of the substance consumed or the frequency of your drug use, and more about the consequences of that drug use. If your drug use is causing problems in your life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem. Of course, drug use—either illegal or prescription—doesn’t automatically lead to abuse. Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without experiencing negative effects, while others find that substance use takes a serious toll on their health and well-being. Similarly, there is no specific point at which Sober living home drug use moves from casual to problematic. However, it’s not just illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, that can lead to abuse and addiction.

Healthcare professionals often view poor hygiene as an early warning sign of substance use 2. For instance, if someone who previously took pride in their grooming suddenly stops caring for themselves, it may signal the need for professional help. When combined with other physical symptoms, this change can provide critical clues for early intervention.