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When it comes to drug or alcohol addiction, it tends to start first with experimental use in social situations, with frequency escalating at various rates. For some individuals, as drug or alcohol use becomes more frequent, the risk of addiction can be realized more rapidly. Additionally, some drugs or alcohol can cause dependency more quickly than others. As the addiction increases, so do the signs and symptoms.
Below are some helpful indicators to help identify potential signs of alcohol and/or drug abuse:
Physical Signs
The physical manifestations of substance abuse are often the most noticeable warning signs:
- Appearance & Odors:
- Smelling of alcohol, marijuana, or stale smoke
- Strong chemical odor (in room, on clothing, on breath)
- Mask-like facial expression
- Red eyes and frequent use of eye drops
- Dilated pupils
- Physical Symptoms:
- Lack of pain response
- Slurred speech
- Disorientation
- Sweating
- Poor coordination
- Runny nose or bloody nose
- Jaw-clenching
- Dry mouth
- Dry or itchy skin
- Acne
- Picking at skin or hair
- Health Changes:
- Frequent minor illnesses (headaches, nausea, vomiting, slight tremors, flu-like symptoms, sluggishness)
- Noticeable weight loss or unusual eating patterns
- Change in normal sleep patterns (more or less than usual, frequent naps)
- Injuries occurring more often
- Severe cough that does not go away
- Frequent respiratory, eye, or other infections that rarely heal
- Medication & Injection Signs:
- Neglects taking prescribed medications or takes more medication than usual
- Signs of injection or arm infections
- Memory lapses
Emotional & Behavioral Signs
Substance abuse often dramatically affects mental health and behavior:
- Mood & Mental State:
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Paranoia (with excessive use)
- Psychosis
- Mania
- Lethargic or uninterested behavior
- Behavioral Changes:
- Impaired judgment (putting self in dangerous situations)
- Violent or threatening behavior (verbally or physically)
- Operating at an inappropriate maturity level
- Increased emotional responses (more emphatic than individual would normally be)
- Talking about or attempting suicide
Family, Friends & Social Signs
Changes in relationships and social behavior are common indicators:
- Family Relations:
- Isolation from family members (hiding in room, locking bedroom door)
- Avoiding family activities
- Exhibiting negative attitude toward rules and parents
- Failing to follow through on promises
- Sneaking out of the house
- Social Behavior:
- Becoming manipulative
- Lying
- Stealing medications from family members
- Changing several friends or changing peer groups
- Suddenly popular with friends who are older and unknown to family
- More frequent phone calls from new friends
- Social activities occurring more often, sometimes at odd hours
- Thrill-seeking behaviors and dangerous physical situations
School & Legal Issues
Academic and legal problems often escalate with substance abuse:
- Academic Performance:
- Lacking motivation and lower grades
- Sleeping in class
- Skipping class or school
- Dropping out of school activities
- Becoming disrespectful of teachers, administrators, and rules
- Frequently being disciplined at school
- Suspended or expelled from school
- Legal Issues:
- Shoplifting from stores or stealing from family members
- Unmanageable behaviors like skipping school and not following family rules
- Charges for Public Intoxication, DUI, Vandalism, Breaking and Entering, Underage Use
- Involved in car accidents or near misses
- Selling drugs
Other Warning Signs
Additional indicators of potential substance abuse include:
- Financial Issues:
- Poor management of money
- Spending large sums of money and always asking for more
- Drug-Related Items:
- Having drug paraphernalia in bedroom or school locker
- Small bottles with screw-on lids for storing substances
- Small plastic packets with white residue
- Chemicals missing in the home or quantities decreasing quickly
- Paper bags or rags used to sniff chemicals
- Discarded containers of whipped cream or spray paint
- Behavioral Patterns:
- Reading drug-oriented magazines or watching drug-related movies obsessively
- Wearing drug-oriented clothing and accessories
- Talking about drugs
- Using smoke, ambient deodorant, or strong perfume to mask odors
- Eye avoidance
Understanding Drug Slang
Being aware of common street names for drugs can help identify potential substance abuse. Some examples include:
Cocaine: Big C, Blow, Charlie, Snow, Powder, White Lady Crack/Freebase: Rock, Ice, Hard, Cloud Heroin: H, Smack, Dope, Brown Sugar Marijuana: Weed, Ganja, Bud, Mary Jane, Herb Methamphetamine: Crank, Glass, Crystal, Ice, Tweak Ecstasy/MDMA: X, XTC, Love Drug, Clarity
Note: This is just a small sample of the extensive drug slang terminology that exists.
Getting Help
Recognizing these signs is the first step toward getting help. If you notice multiple warning signs in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to seek professional assistance immediately.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Back2Basics Outdoor Adventures offers comprehensive mental health and substance abuse residential treatment for men. We accept insurance and private pay options. Our unique approach combines intensive therapeutic counseling, outdoor adventures, and residential individual & group treatment to provide the best possible route to achieve long-term recovery results.
Contact Information
Phone: (928) 814-2220
Fax: (928) 774-4126
Office Hours: Open 24 Hours
Address:
Center for Treatment Services
1600 W University Ave Suite 205
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
*Back2Basics is accredited by leading addiction treatment organizations and meets the highest standards for addiction treatment.