Warning Signs of Substance and Alcohol Use Disorder Information for Family and Friends

Prescription medications such as painkillers, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers can cause similar problems. Addiction to opioid painkillers can be so powerful it has become the major risk factor for heroin abuse. Drastic changes in mood can occur in substance use disorders, along with hypersensitivity and increased irritability. Someone who experiences painful physical withdrawal symptoms may be incredibly irritable and lash out at others in anger unexpectedly. However, like other substance-induced changes in mood, feelings of irritability can be addressed by a therapist in individual counseling. Not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol has a substance abuse problem.

But instead of feeling motivated to do the things you need to survive , such massive dopamine levels can lead to damaging changes that affect your thoughts, feelings and behavior. Taking the substance in larger amounts and for a longer amount of time than you’re meant to if it’s a prescription. While these substances are very different from each other, they all strongly activate the reward center of your brain and produce feelings of pleasure.

Signs you may have a drug problem:

Some people may become addicted quickly, or it may happen over time. Whether or not someone becomes addicted depends on many factors. They include genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. 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. There may also be no drive to complete work or perform how they once did, especially if work-related stress is what led to substance abuse in the first place. The areas of the brain affected and changed by drug abuse are the same areas of the brain that control cognition and include learning, memory, and higher reasoning. When drugs are abused, those areas in the brain are altered.

• The high prevalence of alcohol abuse ensures that both the alcoholic and concerned individuals are not alone in dealing with this illness.
• However, treatment plans should be individualized to meet the needs of the patient.
• Experiencing legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit.
• Prepare to take action and have a conversation during which you can ask direct questions like “Have you been drinking, vaping or using drugs?
• Substance use disorders can change the way people look, how they act and how they feel, and the symptoms of drug abuse can be physical, behavioral and psychological in nature.

Benzodiazepines are mainly available in tablet or capsule form, though some are manufactured as injectable liquids and syrups. Short-term use is generally safe, but abuse can cause numerous complications. signs of drug use Finding this substance, its residue, or heroin paraphernalia is a solid tip-off that heroin abuse is occurring. Its impact is too dramatic, and the person using drugs can spiral out of control fast.

Loss of control:

You may notice this person spraying areas such as their room or car, wearing very strong cologne or perfume, or even burning candles and incense to cover it. This is concerning especially if this is a new behavior. Some drugs, like alcohol, marijuana, crack, or meth, have distinct smells that individuals may try to cover up. You may notice those smells on their clothes, in their car or bedroom, or on their breath or skin. Because of the possibility of relapse, you need ongoing treatment.

You look in other people’s medicine cabinets for drugs to take. You have a new set of friends with whom you do drugs and go to different places to use the drugs. You’re having trouble getting along with co-workers, teachers, friends, or family members. They complain more about how you act or how you’ve changed.

Drug Use and Addiction

Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death. Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug. Sometimes violent or bizarre behavior , paranoia, fearfulness, anxiety, aggression, acting withdrawn, skin flushing, sweating, dizziness, total numbness, and impaired perceptions. Naloxone is a medicine that can treat a heroin overdose when given right away, though more than one dose may be needed. Long-term effects may include collapsed veins, infection of the heart lining and valves, abscesses, and lung complications. Some people mix heroin with crack cocaine, called speedballing.

You may not even notice this until the school calls or until they stop receiving paychecks. Outbursts, Resentful Behavior, Intense Irritability, or Mood Swings. They may become moody and not want to talk to you or anyone that may notice changes due to drug use. There is often a direct link between chemical alterations of the brain becoming visible through the eyes.

Provided by The National Youth Anti-Drug

Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of continued drug and/or alcohol use that is consumed in excessive amounts despite the negative consequences that arise as a direct result of that use. After prolonged substance abuse, it is extremely likely that an addiction will develop, which will make it very difficult for someone to stop using despite any desires to do so. Most often, an addict with require support and services from a mental health professional and family members in order to break this dangerous habit. Of the behavioral signs of drug abuse, secretive behavior may be one of the most common and telling. Someone who struggles with addiction may become increasingly withdrawn from loved ones and often seeks privacy to obtain or use drugs. They may feel they need to keep their drug or alcohol use a secret and may lie about their whereabouts or activities. Substance use disorder is a complex mental health and brain condition.