What Drug Addiction is Characterized by? | West Palm Beach

6/13/2017

Drug addiction is considered as a mental disorder. In which it holds a physical and psychological need to consume the drug despite its detrimental effects on the body. One of the most terrifying feelings that you can experience is to watch your loved ones destroyed by drug addiction. However, confronting your loved ones about their addiction often leads to denial.

Nevertheless, you know something is not right but you cannot get a straight answer so you can offer the proper treatment for them. Even if users hide their addictive behavior it can still manifest and scrape its way through. It is rare that families will not notice the abrupt changes in the user’s behaviors. Knowing the corresponding symptoms can help you understand the type of drugs the use.

But there are situations that users use several drugs at a time which make the symptoms different and even more complicated. Some may take longer to manifest while others become apparent as soon as the user abuse the substance.

Here is a list of the most common symptoms of drug addictions.

Physical dependence

Long-term exposure to drugs can lead to physical dependence. The user’s body become so accustomed to the presence of drugs that it constantly need the drug to function ‘normally’. One of the major side effects of drugs is that it alters some of the physical components of the body. It also includes an awful feeling of the user when the drug is no longer present in their system.

Tolerance

Also, once users continue their addictive behavior for a long period of time, the body builds a tolerance to the drug. This means that they need to take higher doses or consume more of the drug to get the same bodily high effect.

Cravings

Users typically experience extreme urges or cravings for the drug. As their addiction progressive so does their compulsive behavior to consume the drug. They take drug whenever and wherever they can, often disregarding their own safety. For example, they consume drugs or drink excessively even when driving or swimming.

Moderate to extreme withdrawal symptoms

Depending on how users take their drug of choice, they can experience moderate to extreme withdrawal symptoms once they stop. When users experience these withdrawal symptoms it also indicates that their body is already physically dependent on the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include shaking, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms often surface just hours from the last drug intake.

Financial problem

Most often users spend a lot of money just to obtain drugs. If they use illicit drugs from black markets they may need to spend a little more because it is more expensive than alcohol. They go beyond their budget and depleting their savings just to finance their addictive behavior. Also, they may steal, lie or create stories just to obtain more money for their addiction.

Disregards Responsibilities

Urges or cravings usually accompanied addiction. Users would rather take their choice of drugs rather than to attend commitments at work or school. In addition, they choose their addiction over their personal obligations. This is one of the red flags of addiction.

Isolation

Since users hide their addiction from family and close friends, they often isolate themselves from these people. They may also show secretive behaviors that would otherwise contradict their previous selves. Several reasons come to play for these behaviors. This includes increased depression, anxiety even paranoia.

Sudden change of friends

Users may start isolating themselves from their old friends to seek out people with the same habits. They also want to spend more time with this new group of people who urge them in their addictive behaviors.

Furthermore, specific drugs also give out particular manifestation. Each drug has its own characteristics and provides different side effects. Here is a list for certain group of drugs and their most common characteristics.

Opiates

Opiates belong to a group of drugs derived from the opium poppy plant to treat pain. It has different kinds of drug which include prescription medications such as hydrocodone, fentanyl, and oxycodone. Another famous drug that can fall under this category is heroin. Symptoms of opiate abuse are often characterized by:

Sedation
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Pinpoint pupils
Shortness of breath
Disorientation or confusion
Slurred speech

Marijuana

In some states, marijuana is still illegal. Users can smoke, vaporize or ingest (cookies, brownies, and candies) this drug.

Symptoms of marijuana abuse are often characterized by:

Memory problems
Bloodshot eyes
Dilated pupils
Unusual hunger, excessive intake of food
Poor coordination
Hallucinations

Benzodiazepines

Doctors commonly prescribed benzodiazepines to treat severe anxiety. This usually comes in tablet form. However, users alter its form in preparation for injecting or snorting. Benzodiazepines affect the same receptors in the brain as alcohol. The symptoms for these drugs often show signs similar to alcohol abuse.

Benzodiazepines abuse are often characterized by:

Irritability
Drowsiness without the smell of alcohol
Amnesia or memory loss
Poor motor coordination
Clumsiness
Reduced inhibitions
Aggression

Cocaine

Users commonly snort cocaine; some even inject or ingest the drug. Cocaine use are often characterized by

Delusions
Paranoia
Dilated pupils
Runny nose
Nosebleeds
Extreme confidence and exhilaration
Irritability
Restlessness
Anxiety

Crystal Meth

Crystal meth is an amphetamine drug referred to as speed. Users commonly misuse this drug to be snorted, smoked or injected. Crystal meth abuse are often characterized by

Poor oral health resulting to tooth decay
Skin picking, rashes
Loss of appetite
Crawling sensations in the skin
Hair loss
Paranoia
Psychosis
Extreme talkativeness

If your loved one shows several or most of the symptoms with these drugs, it is important to plan an intervention. Provide support for them to get a drug rehab program in order to end their devastating addiction. You can always make a difference in your loved one situation, all they need is a genuine conversation about a treatment program. Make sure you always assure them that you are coming from a place of love and you are not judging or reprimanding them. The main goal of this article is to identify whether they have an addictive behavior and get them treated immediately.

Help is always available for those who want to change for the better. Detox of South Florida has the best source of materials to make this change possible.

Check out the nearest detox and rehab centers in West Palm Beach

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3566.7380491830577!2d-80.22107768496114!3d26.624841983252335!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x88d92597daaa905b%3A0x5763ab979dc56736!2s10581+Versailles+Blvd%2C+Wellington%2C+FL+33449!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1487180896387

Check out this playlist for more help.

[button link=”tel:863-623-4923″ type=”big” color=”gold” newwindow=”yes”] Call Now![/button]

The above post What Drug Addiction is Characterized by? | West Palm Beach {was first published to| DetoxofSouthFlorida

Source: https://detoxofsouthflorida.com/how-to-identify-drug-addiction/