drug abuse signs: Warning Signs of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse poses a major threat to the health of individual and to entire society. Abuse of any kind of illegal drugs or prescription drugs for non-therapeutic and non-medical use is harmful and causes physical, social, and psychological damage to individual. Many drug abusers try to cover up the signs of drug abuse. However, as these warning signs of abusing drugs may indicate possible dependence or addiction to drugs, effectively understanding or recognizing those helps in early detection and avoid further complications. Some of the commonly abused drugs are Amphetamine, Ecstasy/MDMA, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Opiates, Phencyclidine (PCP), Cannabinoid etc.

Physical Signs
Physical signs of abuse vary depending on the type of drugs that are being abused and the person abusing it. Commonly abused drugs such as Marijuana, Cocaine, Morphine, and Heroine have different signs on drug abuser. Marijuana can cause larger or smaller bloodshot eyes or pupils, increased heart beat, dry throat and mouth, impaired short-term memory etc. Cocaine can cause loss of appetite, insomnia, headache, nausea, nosebleeds, anxiety etc. Abuse of Opiates like Morphine or Heroin can be detected through signs like scarring, vein inflammation, contracted pupils etc. Other physical signs of abusing drugs include deterioration of physical appearance, odd smell from body and breath, slurred speech, tremors, and lack of coordination. Drug abusing person maintains poor personal hygiene and take less care of his body. The advancement of drug abuse into addiction is marked by strong craving for drugs.

Behavioral Signs
Drug abusing persons show variety of behavioral signs. The behavioral signs of abusing drugs include secretiveness, suspicious behavior, hostility, unpredictability, depression etc. Other behavioral signs can include sudden drop in attendance at work or schools, low performance, forgetting family functions, sudden need for money or financial difficulties, stealing money etc. A sudden change in approach towards friends, relatives, and hobbies can be a negative sign. Additional behavioral signs can include sudden outbursts, indulging in fights or accidents or illegal activities, lack of communication, remaining in isolation etc. Prolonged drug abuse can make the person aggressive, intolerable, and even commit crime or attempt suicide.

Psychological Signs
Psychological signs of drug abuse include sudden and unexplained change in personality and attitude of person, sudden mood swings, irritability, angry outbursts etc. The person also shows unusual hyperactivity, giddiness, and agitation. A lack of energy, motivation, and enthusiasm is witnessed in the person. The person also appears fearful, anxious, and paranoid without any obvious reasons.

As prevention is better than cure, early detection and recognizing the signs of abuse can help to prevent the long and agonizing recovery process from drug addiction. Family members and friends play a significant role in early recognition of the signs of drug abuse. Once drug abuse signs are recognized, the person should be immediately treated under drug treatment programs.

Professor consults on drug abuse website

Filed under: drug abuse signs

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – Hagerstown Community College professor Elaine Ashby, who has a master's degree from Shippensburg University, recently worked as a consultant for the website of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. She was part of a consulting …
Read more on Chambersburg Public Opinion

AA works and it's free, yet Pentagon snubs the substance abuse program

Filed under: drug abuse signs

When retired Navy psychiatrist Dr. Ronald Smith worked at the service's pioneering alcohol and drug abuse recovery program in the late 1970s at the Long Beach Naval Medical Center, he recalled, “we'd pile all the patients into gray vans and take them …
Read more on Nextgov

A Growing Trend In Drug Abuse

Filed under: drug abuse signs

CBS NEW YORK — It's a disturbing trend: Young people ending up in rehab for prescription drug abuse. But it's not Oxycontin. They're getting hooked on medications used to treat attention disorders like ADHD. Now these so-called “study drugs” are …
Read more on CBS Local