Behavioral addictions can occur with any activity that’s capable of stimulating your brain’s reward system. Treatment is available, such as medication to manage withdrawal side effects, long-term https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/warning-signs-of-drug-use-and-addiction/ medications, counseling, and support groups. When it comes to common social behaviors like drinking or smoking, it might be difficult to determine if there’s an addiction problem.
Some love the feeling the first time they try it and want more. Addiction—to prescription and street drugs and alcohol —is a serious problem. If you’re worried that you or a loved one may have https://ecosoberhouse.com/ an addiction, there are signs to help you know. If they have a job or career, you may also notice declining performance in the professional aspects as drug use becomes the number one priority.
How to Tell if Someone is Snorting Drugs
They may feel they need to keep their drug or alcohol use a secret and may lie about their whereabouts or activities. SUD is a health condition that leads to a strong desire to use a substance even though it may have adverse effects on a person’s life. People with SUD may use illegal or legal drugs, including prescription medications. If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
Your treatment may include counseling, medicine, or both. Talk to your doctor to figure out the best plan for you. Addiction also is different from physical dependence or tolerance. In cases of physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms happen when you suddenly stop a substance. Tolerance happens when a dose of a substance becomes less effective over time. You can also get addicted to prescription or illegally obtained narcotic pain medications, or opioids.
Substance Use Disorder vs. Substance Abuse
It’s important to eliminate any potential medical reasons for someone’s health decline. Keep in mind that someone with an addiction will almost always understate the seriousness of their condition. If there’s no other explanation, then there’s an increased chance of an underlying addiction problem. People with an addiction tend to surround themselves with others who encourage their habits. When confronted, they may make excuses and try to justify their behavior to you.
Illicit drugs are known for their psychoactive properties or ability to alter brain function. When you misuse these drugs, you’ll experience changes in mood, level of awareness, thoughts, and feelings. How a person uses drugs can also leave visible marks or change their appearance. Drugs that are snorted or administered intravenously may leave various physical signs. Depressants or “downers” are drugs that slow down brain activity. They often treat muscle spasms, anxiety disorders, and sleep problems.
What Are the Early Signs of Addiction?
Together, these brain changes can drive you to seek out and take drugs in ways that are beyond your control. Over time, your brain gets used to the extra dopamine. So you might need to take more of the drug to get the same good feeling. And other things you enjoyed, like food and hanging out with family, may give you less pleasure.
Excessive use and abuse of these drugs can cause intense highs characterized by hyperactivity and periods of insomnia or intense lows that cause long periods of sleeping or drowsiness. Addictive substances alter the brain’s natural circadian rhythm which can actually cause sleep disturbances well after someone has stopped using the drug. When drug use becomes a priority in someone’s life, hygiene and outward appearance may become less and less important. Some may forget they haven’t taken care of themselves because of the mental effects of their drug use.
Outpatient treatment is a less intensive program that usually involves fewer hours and days per week. This program serves as a follow-up treatment, designed to offer a longer-term structure to those who have completed inpatient or intensive outpatient programs. Cocaine is an illegal, highly addictive stimulant drug made from the coca plant. People who inject drugs will have track marks on major veins. Track marks can appear as puncture wounds, scabs, or bruises on the forearms, hands, legs, and feet. Drugs like cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth are available in powder form.
