If you suspect someone is using drugs, it’s important to approach them with compassion and understanding. Encourage them to seek help and offer support in finding treatment options. It’s also important to take care of yourself and seek support from others who may be able to help you navigate the situation.
Where to find support
Someone using substances may start hanging out with a different crowd. They might spend time with people who encourage their drug or alcohol use or who don’t ask questions about their behavior. If they suddenly have new friends and seem tight-lipped about them, it could be a sign that they are in an environment that isn’t healthy. The risk of substance use increases during times of drug addiction treatment stress and change.
Recovery, It’s In Our Nature!
- They may also face increasingly dangerous situations in pursuit of a substance supply.
- Though your loved one may not admit to having a drug problem, it is important to be able to recognize the signs of drug abuse.
- Substance use disorder can negatively affect a person’s relationships, finances, employment, and other aspects of their life.
- Some people experiment with recreational drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or to ease problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
- Recognizing the signs of drug use is an important step in helping a loved one who may be struggling with addiction.
The ripple effects of these financial challenges extend far beyond the individual struggling with substance misuse, often impacting their loved ones. Families may find themselves sacrificing their own financial stability to help, or they may endure emotional distress as they witness their loved one’s life unraveling. Those dealing with substance misuse may signs of drug use start asking friends, family members, or even coworkers to lend them cash under the guise of an unrelated emergency or financial hardship.
Next step: Getting help for drug abuse or addiction
- Similarly, a person might begin skipping school or failing to complete assignments, jeopardizing their education and future prospects.
- Some substances can suppress appetite, leading to significant weight loss.
- Encouraging the individual to seek treatment and embark on the path to recovery is a crucial step in supporting their well-being.
- Any cue with emotional significance registers on the brain’s amygdala, which then activates the nucleus accumbens and its dopamine neurons.
- While none of these symptoms alone confirm drug abuse, if paired with secretiveness or defensiveness, they may signal a deeper issue.
They may prefer spending time alone rather than engaging in social interactions. One of the telltale signs of drug use is constant fatigue or a noticeable lack of energy. Drugs can disrupt the body’s natural sleep patterns, leading to exhaustion and lethargy. People who are using drugs may appear excessively tired or struggle to stay awake during normal daily activities. Another physical change that may indicate drug use is a significant and unexplained change in weight. Drug use can impact appetite and metabolism, leading to rapid weight loss or gain.
Sweating, body tremors, or even vomiting can be signs, as can weight loss or gain. That point differs from one person to the next, due to many biological and situational variables influencing response to a substance. Drug addiction is a chronic but treatable disease that affects the brain’s structure and function. It’s marked by compulsive substance use, despite harmful consequences. The Wikipedia page on addiction describes it as both a psychological and physical condition, disrupting a person’s ability to control behavior. Ultimately, substance abuse counselors play a critical role in breaking the cycle of addiction.
Signs of Drug Use: How to Tell if Someone is on Drugs
Drinking too much alcohol, for example, can damage the liver and lead to yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Some drugs weaken the immune system, making a person get sick more often. Keep an eye out for signs of financial instability, such as frequent borrowing of money, selling personal belongings, or unexplained expenses.
Several types of treatment settings, including inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as short-term care and long-term therapeutic communities, are available. It’s important to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding. Express your concern for their well-being and offer your support in finding help and treatment. They may try to cover up the physical signs with makeup or clothing, and they may become secretive or https://dev.rgstudio.hu/how-to-taper-off-alcohol-the-recovery-village-palm/ lie about their behavior. When it comes to common social behaviors like drinking or smoking, it might be difficult to determine if there’s an addiction problem.