Signs of Drug Addiction

• Money problems related to drug use
• Family, work, or social problems related to drug use
• Health problems related to drug use
• Been arrested or hospitalized at least once as a result of drug use
• Lost a job as a result of drug use
• Takes drugs to ‘escape reality’
• Takes drugs regularly to help ease pain
• Feeling of remorse or regret after using a drug
• Has ever ‘blacked out’ as a result of using drugs
• Has trouble sleeping due to drug use or the desire for drugs
• Less picky about where you are or who you are with when drugs are involved
• Takes drugs when alone
• Takes drugs in the morning
• Needs drugs at a ‘scheduled time’ everyday
• Has skipped school or work to use drugs or as a result of using drugs

If even one of the preceding applies to you or somebody you know, drug addiction treatment should be sought immediately.

Other symptoms to look for if you think someone you know may be facing drug addiction or drug abuse include:

• Loss of motivation
• Lying
• Change in sleeping patterns
• Change in appetite
• Grades dropping or other problems in school
• Secretive behaviors
• Runny, sniffly nose
• Coughing (excessive, for longer than 3 days)
• Withdrawal from friends, family, and usual activities
• Change in friends and interests
• Change in hygiene maintenance
• Drastic weight changes
• Blood shot eyes or dilated/constricted pupils
• Wearing long sleeves
• Moody behaviors
• Over reacting to criticism
• Emotional outbursts
• Moodiness
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Hostility
• Over sensitivity
• Drugs, drug paraphernalia, eye drops
• Disappearance of money or other valuable items
• Memory loss

Sometimes, all it takes is a hunch to tell you that there may be a drug addiction problem. If you think you may be suffering drug addiction, you should seek immediate professional help to detoxify and receive therapy needed to regain control of your life.

Quitting drugs is not something that can be done cold turkey, because there are several painful withdrawal symptoms that often cause relapse and severe withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening. If you are ready to quit using drugs, you should only detoxify under proper medical supervision where qualified professionals can give sedatives if needed to ease discomfort, and most importantly to treat the fatal withdrawal symptoms that could occur. (Fatal symptoms include blackouts, convulsions, hallucinations, high temperatures, and more.)

Quitting drugs is also something that can not be done lightly or casually. You can not defeat drug addiction by ‘easing into sobriety’. It is impossible to ‘cut back’ on drugs because your body requires more and more of a drug to function once you are addicted.

If you or someone you know is at risk for having a drug addiction, you should immediately schedule an evaluation and possible admission into a drug rehab center.