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Symptoms of Drug Abuse

Depending upon your drug of choice, the symptoms that suggest the presence of an addiction that requires treatment will vary. Different classes of drugs have different telltale signs that signify usage.

In general, however, there are a number of signs that drug abuse or alcohol abuse is a serious problem. If you recognize some or all of the following things happening to someone you care about, or happening in your own life, drug abuse may be an issue that needs to be addressed in treatment:

  • Isolating from family and friends who don’t use drugs
  • Spending time with new friends or friends who get high or drink
  • Never having money or often asking to borrow money, even for small items
  • Showing up late to work/school or not showing up at all
  • Losing a job
  • Doing little to find a job if out of work
  • Paying less attention to basic hygiene
  • Changes in sleeping habits
  • Extremely private about possessions, including their bag, room, or car
  • Lying about using or drinking
  • Sneaking away to get high or drunk

You may find hidden bottles of alcohol or drug paraphernalia among your loved one’s belongings. Personality changes often occur with substance abuse and addiction. You or your loved one may be more irritable or agitated, and even blow off commitments or family events.

Drug Abuse in Teens and Young Adults

The earlier in one’s life that drug abuse begins, the more likely an individual will be to become addicted.  Substance use in teens and young adults can become part of a pattern of unsafe behaviors, including unsafe sex and driving under the influence.  Due to availability, teens and young adults may be more likely to abuse dangerous “club drugs” which, as part of the general picture of alcohol and drugs being abused by this demographic, can lead to serious problems including:

  • Addiction
  • Poor judgment.
  • Impaired memory.
  • Injury due to intoxication.
  • Lifelong legal problems.
  • Development of mental health issues.
  • Serious, irreversible physical health problems, such as HIV, Hepatitis C, or damage to major organs.
  • Overdose or death.
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Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction

Drug abuse is a major problem across the world. One of the most significant issues concerning drug abuse is the high risk for developing an addiction. The abuse of drugs can have serious ramifications on a person’s physical health, mental health, and overall well-being.

Diagnosed clinically as a substance use disorder, addiction is a recognized condition involving compulsive use of a substance despite negative consequences.  Drug abuse is the inappropriate use of substances – including alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal drugs – for purposes such as pleasure, to feel or perform better in certain situations, or to change one’s perception of reality.

Abusing substances creates both changes in behavior and in the way the brain works, specifically in the areas governing judgment and reward. Continued abuse of substances can be a warning sign that an individual is beginning to lose control over their drug use.

Drug abuse not only affects the individual, but also can have far-reaching consequences that affect family, employment, personal health, health care systems, local communities, and society as a whole.  The following examples illustrate the potentially profound impact of substance abuse at an individual and societal level, including the toll it may take on health and family.

  • Misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs affects society through costs incurred secondary to crime, reduced productivity at work, and health care expenses.
  • The overall costs of alcohol abuse amount to $224 billion annually, with the costs to the health care system accounting for approximately $25 billion.
  • Substance abuse costs the health care system about $11 billion, with overall costs reaching $193 billion.
  • Substance abuse and addiction also affects other areas, such as broken families, destroyed careers, death due to negligence or accident, domestic violence, physical abuse, and child abuse.
  • Drug abuse and addiction changes your brain chemistry. The longer you use your drug of choice, the more damage is done – and the harder it is to go back to “normal” during drug rehab.
  • Drug abuse and addiction is a chronic, relapsing, compulsive disorder that often requires formal treatment, and may call for multiple courses of treatment.

Substance use disorders are treatable. Effective treatment can be found from a comprehensive rehabilitation program that is tailored to meet your specific needs.

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