Signs of Drug Use and Addiction - How To Tell If Someone Is On Drugs

If you think a loved one is misusing drugs, it’s important to look for signs of drug addiction that can help you determine what drug is being used.

Article at a Glance:

It may be challenging to know if someone has a drug addiction but knowing warning signs can help.
Common physical signs include lethargy, bloodshot eyes, runny nose, irregular sleep and weight changes.
Behavioral signs include shifts in social circles, poor work/school performance, secretive behavior and neglecting responsibilities.
Psychological signs include paranoid thoughts, negative self-image, lack of motivation and feelings of apathy.
Certain factors put people at a higher risk of addiction but drug addictions are treatable for everyone.

Understanding the Signs of Addiction

Adrug addictionoralcohol use disordercan be difficult to identify without understanding the signs of addiction. 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.

Not everyone who uses drugs or alcohol has a substance abuse problem. However,about 10% of Americans struggle with substance abuse. Understanding the signs and symptoms of drug addiction is the first step towards getting help.

Fortunately forconcerned family members and friends, many characteristics of addiction are easy to identify, and many types of drug addictions share similar signs and symptoms. If someone can recognize the symptoms of addiction, they may be able to help a friend or family member who struggles with this disease.

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How to Tell if Someone is on Drugs

When you’re wondering how to tell if someone is using drugs, physical signs can be your first indicator, followed by behavior and psychological changes.

How Drug Use Starts

For some individuals, substance abuse begins when they start socially experimenting with various substances. This can be the case with drugs such as amphetamines, alcohol, marijuana and prescription drugs.

Opioid abusecan begin differently. People who become addicted to opioids are often prescribed prescription drugs, such as painkillers, often following something like an accident or surgery. They can then start taking higher doses of those prescription drugs, which can lead to abuse. They may also seek cheaper forms of opioids, such as heroin. Overall,75% of heroin users reportthat the first opioid they took was a prescription drug.

When someone begins using drugs of any kind, they may start feeling as if they need larger and more frequent doses to get the same effects, even with something that started as social experimentation. This is called tolerance.

Drug use can start at any age. However, starting during childhood or adolescence islinked to an increased risk of dependenceon the substance, where they feel like they need the drug to function normally.

Risk Factors for Addiction

Many studies on addiction risk factors have been conducted.Risk factors for addictioncan be internal (i.e., psychological or physical) and external (i.e., environmental). Someaddiction risk factorsinclude:

Family history of addiction
Mental illness
Traumatic life events
Past abuse or domestic violence
Lack of a social support system, like family or friends
Little understanding of health maintenance
Poverty
Homelessness

How to Help Someone with a Drug Addiction?

If you suspect that someone you love is addicted to drugs, then it’s time to get help. Here are some tips to keep in mind when discussing drug addiction and treatment (See:Intervention) with a loved one:

Remember that addiction is a mental illness.Once drug or alcohol abuse has gotten out of control, willpower alone often isn’t enough to recover. Addiction is a chronic disease, physically changing the brain and making it harder to stop. Blaming them for their sickness won’t give them any motivation to stop using drugs. In fact, it may promote feelings of shame or guilt that further feed the addiction.
Be nonjudgmental.
Make sure they know that you love them and are here to support them.It’s normal to cycle through relapse and recoveryseveral times before entering long-term remission, and your loved one needs your help every step of the way. Relapse is not a failure, just a part of the process.
Understand their situation.Why have they started using drugs? It may be because of stress, to self-medicate their mental health, or to fit in with a new peer group. Once physical dependence sets in, their body will experience uncomfortable or painful withdrawal symptoms without the substance. Knowing their motivations for using drugs can help you figure out how best to help them quit.
Make sure you’re ready.Before talking to your loved one about their addiction, make sure you’ve taken the time to work through your own feelings on the topic. This conversation isn’t about you — it’s about them. If you are going to work with othersto stage a group intervention, such as family, friends, clergy, or mental health professionals, work with them beforehand to plan what each person will say. Decide what consequences, if any, you will impose if they do not get help. Research treatment options and contact treatment centers to make sure your loved one can begin treatment as soon as they agree to get help so that you have concrete solutions to present.
Time your conversation.Avoid discussing treatment or staging a group intervention when your loved one is in the middle of using substances or experiencing a high. Time your conversation for a moment when they are relatively sober or have recently faced clear consequences for their substance abuse that you can reference. The place is also important, with the goal of making the person feel safe and comfortable.
Be constructive and concrete.Present treatment as an opportunity for help and improvement rather than as a criticism or punishment. Keep a positive, non-confrontational tone – you’re here for them. Try not to make hurtful comments or personal attacks, but instead focus on specific examples of how his drug use has affected them, you and their other loved ones.
Follow through on consequences.Although it may be painful to watch your loved one suffer, if they don’t agree to treatment, it may be time to start imposing consequences. Giving them a safety net can enable drug use. Follow through on any consequences you propose, and be firm.

Addiction Treatment Options

Drug and alcohol addictions are diseases, but they are treatable. Addiction treatment is offered at drug and alcohol detox clinics, outpatient facilities and full-service rehab centers like The Recovery Village, but the quality of treatment can vary greatly among these facilities.

The ideal treatment for substance use disorders involves a combination ofindividual counselingand clinical care, which are key components in mostrehab programs. The Recovery Village offers a continuum of treatment programs that allow clients to heal progressively. These programs include:

If you or a loved one need treatment for a drug or alcohol use disorder, you can search recovery resources by zip code or call The Recovery Village. Representatives are available to take your call, answer your questions about addiction and treatment and guide you toward a program that meets your needs. To get started with comprehensive substance use disorder treatment, contact The Recovery Village today.

Signs & Symptoms of Drug Addiction