Drug Abuse Or Drug Addiction - The Physical Signs

Drug abuse or drug addiction produces significant and identifiable physical signs. Recognition of these is often the first step towards helping this person towards recovery.

The sooner these signs are recognized, brought to the forefront and addressed, the more likely catastrophic consequences can be avoided. It is not a realistic option to ignore a drug problem and simply hope it goes away. Drug abuse and drug addiction is progressive it will always get worse.

The following is a list of the physical symptoms for the most commonly abused substances:

Marijuana

Marijuana works on the parts of the brain affecting emotion regulation and memory. Symptoms will include being spaced out, glazed eyes, sleepiness. Often there is loud talking or inappropriate silliness and laughter. There may be fatigue, reduced concentration and coordination. Not uncommon is a loss if interest in formerly pleasurable hobbies or activities. There may be a general loss of motivation along with weight gain or loss, and altered perceptions.

Central nervous system depressants (includes barbiturates and tranquilizers):

Symptoms often include a slowed down breathing rate, slow response time to conversation or activities, and difficulty concentrating along with confusion. There may be clumsiness and lack of coordination, sleepiness, memory loss, and depression.

Central nervous system stimulants

Symptoms will include euphoria and increased activity, 'going hyper or manic'. With prolonged use, it is very common for paranoia to develop. There is usually a decreased desire for food and a loss of appetite with significant weight loss. There are sleep disruptions either not feeling the need for sleep or going for longer periods of time without sleep, Convulsions, an increased heartbeat, rapid heart rate and depression, usually as the stimulation of the drug wears off, the highs are higher, but the lows are lower. Details on two common stimulants, cocaine and Meth are next.

Cocaine

Those who have been abusing or are addicted to cocaine for a relatively short term will experience the immediate physical effects of increased blood pressure, increased energy, talking a lot, decreased appetite and need for sleep. Other physical symptoms may include: hyper-alertness, rapid heart rate, and increased temperature.

People who have been abusing the substance for a long time will experience many of the above as, greater increase in mood swings, and greater impairment of mental judgment and capacity. The cumulative physical effects of these symptoms include heart attacks, respiratory failure, strokes, seizures, convulsions, nausea, and coma.

Methamphetamines

Those who abuse this substance will have similar, if not some of the exact same symptoms as those listed above but also hallucinations, twitching and jerking movements, and rotting teeth. Few drugs produce more physical damage than methamphetamines.

Opioids

Symptoms of opiate abuse will include numbness to pain, lethargy, confusion, decreased breathing rate, anxiety, vomiting, constipation, and needle marks; after prolonged excessive use such symptoms such as infections of the heart lining, skin sores/abscesses, and respiratory problems may also develop.

A Final Tip: People who abuse or are addicted to drugs become masters of the cover up. They may provide plausible excuses for their behavior and physical state. The giveaway is that over time, the physical symptoms will get worse, it is important to stay alert to changes over time when trying to identify signs of drug abuse and drug addiction.

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Thank you from Bill Urell and the Addiction Recovery Basics Network.