Drug abuse is something that everyone should take seriously. No matter whether this abuse is happening with criminal drugs or prescription drugs, this can lead to a very slippery slope. As we all know, drug addiction is something that can happen to anyone, no matter how strong of a mind you think that you have. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind the signs and symptoms that can give you an idea that you or someone you love is abusing drugs. Keep reading down below to learn more about these signs and how you can catch drug abuse before it becomes a more serious problem.
- Cravings for The Drug
One of the most important signs that point towards drug abuse is when someone constantly craves the drug. As an addiction develops, people want the drug more and more to feed those cravings. If you notice that someone you love is constantly craving something, then that should be a huge flashing sign that says addiction.
- Physical Dependence
A huge sign that addiction is becoming a problem for someone is when they start to have a physical dependence on the drug. When you are on the drug, then you may be super happy and positive. However, when that high comes down, then your brain is going to shut down and this can lead to depression or anxiety. This can be seen in anything from prescription drugs to criminal drugs and even with a coffee addiction.
- Tolerance
Over time, most people with addictions will start to develop a tolerance for a drug. This means that they will start to need more and more of the drug to achieve the same high that a small amount used to achieve. This is normal for every kind of addictive substance, so be sure to watch out for this one, as larger amounts of any kind of drug is no good for your health and wellness.
- Withdrawal Symptoms
A big group of symptoms to watch out for when looking for drug abuse is withdrawal symptoms. Now, this can be a whole host of symptoms, depending on what kind of drug someone is abusing. However, a sudden withdrawal from an addictive substance is likely to lead to depression, anxiety, sudden weight gain or loss, and many other problems. Make sure to buy drug tests if you suspect your loved one is abusing drugs.
- Poor Judgement
A big symptom to watch out for in those people who might be addicted to a substance is poor judgement. You see, when someone is addicted to a drug, he or she is going to do anything at all to get more of it to keep their high going. This includes lying, cheating, stealing, and even worse criminal activities. If you notice that your loved one is doing whatever possible to get more of a substance, then this is a big sign for addiction.
- Drug-Seeking
This is connected with poor judgement, but someone who is addicted to a substance is going to spend insane amounts of time and money trying to get more of the drug. This is called drug-seeking and is a strong sign that someone is addicted.
- Financial Trouble
People are going to do anything to get the drug that they’re addicted to. This includes spending pretty much all of the money in their bank accounts or pulling out loans. If you notice that you or someone you love is spending insane amounts of money for suspected drug abuse, then have a frank conversation with them about this.
- Neglecting Responsibilities
And lastly, when someone is abusing a drug, he or she is going to be neglecting their responsibilities. Whether that’s going to work every day, cleaning the house, or spending time with friends and family, he or she is not going to put in the necessary time to do the things that matter. Whether this is because they are constantly high on the drug or constantly craving and looking for drugs, this is a sign to watch out for.
Drug abuse isn’t something to take lightly. It can pop up in anyone’s life unexpectedly, so it’s something to be on the constant lookout for in your friends and family.
