How to Identify Addiction Symptoms in your Pal

Drug abuse which wreaks a havoc on mind and body can leave behind tell-tale signs that are indicative of a person’s addiction phenomena. Right from absenteeism to school or work to unexplained disappearances and mood disorders, there could be innumerable signs and symptoms of drug abuse. Below mentioned are a few changes that you could observe for, in your pals to determine whether it is an alcohol/substance abuse that is causing changes in them. These changes work three ways. Physically, mentally, and attitudinally

Physical symptoms
Frequent use of drugs result in major physiological changes among addicts. Dehydration is a common symptom. Apart from that, depending on the kind of substance used, the signs and symptoms in an addict may range from red eyes, delayed reaction times, poor muscle co-ordination, sudden euphoria, nausea, anxiety, panic, and hallucinations among others.

A gradual reduction in weight is another common sign. A full-blown substance-use disorder impedes the ability of control in an addict, where it could prove extremely difficult to stop using drugs without a professional intervention. Drugs also have the ability to rewire brain of an addict and change his/her personality altogether. The addict may develop patches on the skin, itchiness and also wrinkles.If your friend is either sleeping too much or abstaining from sleep, that could be an indication. Prolonged abuse of drugs and alcohol may result in damage to the gastrointestinal lining and the addict may end up puking on an everyday basis.

If you get to notice any of the above signs in your pals, it is time you need to seek help. Admitting addiction is not a shame. It can happen to anyone.

Mental symptoms
If you have observed that your pal is behaving erratic and irritated off late, it could be a sign of drug/alcohol abuse. Drugs induce chemical changes in an addict’s brain. This affects the function of neurotransmitters in the brain and the messages they are trying to send. Hence, the addict may experience difficulties in decision-making. Depending on the kind of substance used, drugs either slow down or speed up the activities of the central nervous system.
Also, they effect the changes in the mood. For example, stimulants rev up the mood of the users in an instant while depressants like alcohol create suicidal tendencies. Memory loss is another profound trait of an addict’s behavioural change. Stimulant drugs such as nicotine and amphetamine tend to improve cognitive functions at lower doses. But on the contrary, they impair memory performance at higher doses. Long term abuse of alcohol may leave long-term effects on prefrontal cortex function, disrupting cognitive abilities.

Attitudinal Signs
Change in attitude of an addict is the result of compulsive behaviours driven by addiction. The brain of an addict is completely rewired, and his/her thoughts constantly revolve around the substance of his addiction. The brain of an addict is highly addicted to the pleasure obtained from the drug abuse and gradually becomes a slave of it.
The addicts in pursuit of pleasure, start ignoring work and other responsibilities including family. They start picking up fights and telling lies in order to procure enough money to source the substance of addiction. This way, there would be a remarkable change in their attitude all of a sudden. This is a red flag and your pal needs help in such a situation.

Other Signs
Apart from the above-mentioned signs, if a near or dear one exhibits changes in hygiene, changes in sleeping patterns, dental issues and skin changes and also if there are signs of injection related bruises on hands and legs, its high time you enquire and act upon it. Early action yields favourable results and could save a life.