Unlike alcohol, there is no difference between abuse and addiction as far as drugs are concerned. Unless medically prescribed and put to use for medical and health purposes, drugs are dangerous and highly addictive. Even prescription drugs can be addictive if warnings and recommendations by qualified medical professionals on the correct usage of these drugs are not heeded. It is very important to recognize signs of drug addiction so steps can be taken to cure the addict of the disease.
Some common signs displayed by users of drugs are:
- Neglecting work or studies
- Risky behavior such as sharing of needles, unprotected sex and driving while high
- Violent or unlawful behavior
- Display of rebelliousness
- Worsening interpersonal relationships
- Insensitivity to external happenings
- Change in friends circle
- Lack of interest in sports or other activities
- Stealing money
- Sudden loss or weight gain
- Loss of appetite
- Moodiness
- Bloodshot eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Excessive sleeping or sleeplessness
- Lack of interest in external appearance; shabbiness
- Slurred or incoherent speech
While all of the above signs are common in nature, each type of drug has its own peculiar effects on people using them. Some of the common symptoms that can be observed among users of each type of drugs are given below.
Marijuana: excessive laughter, bloodshot eyes, bloodshot glassy eyes, weight gain or loss, sleepiness, etc.
Heroin: loss of appetite, drowsy eyes, vomiting, constipation, sweating, needle marks, weight loss, coughing, sniffling, burn marks in the fingertips, contracted pupils that do not respond to light, etc.
Depressants (Xanax, GHB, Valium): slurred speech, sleepiness, clumsiness, contracted pupils, lack of concentration, poor judgment, etc.
Stimulants (cocaine, meth, amphetamines): hyperactivity, euphoria, dilated pupils, irritability, dry mouth, excessive talking followed by withdrawn behavior or excessive sleeping, or long periods without eating or sleeping, etc.
Inhalants (vapors, glues, aerosols): impaired vision, loss of memory, watery eyes, headaches, intoxicated appearance, drowsiness, improper muscle control, changes in appetite, etc.
Hallucinogens: paranoia, hallucinations, aggression, slurred speech, mood swings, confusion, detached and withdrawn behavior, etc.
If one or more of the above signs are displayed by a person in your family or in your friends circle, it is important to get help from a specialist from a drug rehab center. Drug addiction is a curable disease of the mind and body, but it is necessary that the user gets the best type of intervention and help from a good drug rehab center so as to get him or her on the road to recovery faster.