Visual signs of changing behavior and physical appearance can be some of the significant signs of drug addiction!
Drug addiction can immensely affect people from all walks of life, including social and economic statuses. It is considered a chronic disease that can affect the brain's reward, memory, motivation, and related circuitry functions.
While some with an addiction might crave a substance, others likely to isolate themselves from socializing. They often neglect other areas of life to support or fulfill their desires.
Some common signs of addiction are:
- Behavioral change and inability to avoid certain things.
- Decreased socialization.
- Avoiding risk factors despite knowing potential consequences.
- Cravings for higher dosages.
While these signs are usually linked, the degree of intensity depends on how long the person has been addicted. The primary step is being able to identify physical, emotional, and mental signs like personality changes and abrupt weight.
Besides the above, here are some other signs that can be identified at an early stage:
Personality Changes
As a person passes the early stage of addiction, they will likely exhibit major behavior and personality changes. While these changes might be infrequent at first, later signs include:
- Since addiction progresses, an individual might ignore pastimes that they used to enjoy. For instance, they find themselves no longer strength participating in their favorite sport.
- They start developing a secretive attitude, especially while taking the substance.
- A person with an addiction might give up activities they enjoy before; for instance, they might stop attending parties with no alcohol or smoking or substance use.
- They always ensure enough availability of substance, even by sacrificing the home budget.
- Many people do not realize that they are addicted. They might realize the dependency on a substance, but deny going for a treatment, believing that they can "quit" anytime they want.
Change In Physical Health
Change In Appetite: Some substances can alter the person's appetite; for instance, marijuana can increase the appetite while cocaine can reduce it. However, ibogaine is one naturally occurring alkaloid that helps fight with drug withdrawal symptoms, curb fatigue, reduce cravings, and lower the risk of relapse.
Damage Or Disease: Substances like tobacco and alcohol can lead to lung and liver cancers and severe respiratory diseases. Injecting drugs can lead to problems in arteries and veins and also cause limb damage.
Change In Appearance: A person might start to appear tired, disheveled as addictive behavior can replace key activities, including personal hygiene and washing clothes.
Withdrawal Symptoms: If the level of substances drops to a certain level, they might experience symptoms like diarrhea, trembling, constipation, seizures, cravings, and aggression.
Insomnia: It is a common withdrawal symptom. Using certain stimulants might encourage a disturbed sleep cycle. A person might be awake for several nights in a row to specifically attending parties where a substance is being highly used.
Mental Disorders
Increased Ability To Take Risks: To obtain the substance, a person becomes vulnerable to take risks and engage themselves in illegal acts. It might include stealing, trading sex, buying and selling drugs, rash driving, and violence.
Obsessive Behavior: Certain drugs can make a person highly obsessed, which encourages them to spend their time and energy in finding new ways of substance intake. In fact, in many cases, people have tried a serious attempt to give up on alcohol, heroin, nicotine, or other substances, but failed. This is because these are chemically addictive that can cause withdrawal symptoms if one stops consuming them.
Conclusion
Drug addictive behavior might lead to withdrawal from social interactions, previous activities, and personal responsibilities. Anyone with these symptoms needs medical attention as soon as possible!
