From 2015-2016, the National Survey of Drug Abuse found that about 48.5% of people have tried illicit drugs at least once in their lifetimes. Finding out that someone that you care about is dealing with a serious addiction problem can be painful, depressing, and difficult to face.
According to Advanced Recovery Systems, addiction can be first identified through three different types of early indicators: behavioral, physical, and psychological. While there are symptoms specific to each different drug, there are some common things to look for when you suspect a substance abuse problem.
While these could be indicative of a problem, we urge you to seek out the advice and care of a trained professional before forming any conclusions. The team at Asana Recovery is here to help you through this difficult time and guide you or your friend or family member towards recovery.
Disregarding Hygiene
One of the first things that you’ll notice about someone in the grips of addiction is a lack of interest in how they appear. This can vary from wearing dirty and disheveled clothes to letting their hair grow wild and uncombed or foregoing basic hygiene like regular showers and brushing their teeth.
Sudden Changes in Punctuality
Drugs can take up a great deal of time and can be rather unpredictable. As such, it can be hard to keep a regular schedule. If someone you know consistently arrives late without just cause, especially if they were punctual before, addiction might be the cause.
Defensiveness When Asked About Substance Abuse
Addicts will do anything and everything to not only obtain a steady flow of their drug of choice but also to do so without anyone they know noticing. If someone you care about consistently makes very defensive statements or overreacts to questions about substance abuse, they may be suffering from an addiction
Bloodshot Eyes
Many drugs significantly increase blood flow in the body, and one of the places that blood flow is sent is the eyes. This can result in the bloodshot eye that users of marijuana are well known for.
Pale Skin
As mentioned previously, using drugs like heroin and cocaine can make your body increase blood flow to the brain. This results in a user’s skin appearing much lighter or paler than normal. This could be a sign of a health issue as much as an addiction and the individual should seek out medical attention in both cases.
Asking for Loans or Spending More Money Than Usual
Since drugs can be exorbitantly expensive, people with an addiction often spend excessive amounts of money to support their habit. If you notice someone consistently spending more money for no apparent reason or regularly stating that they’re broke or low on funds, there may be reason for concern.
Issues with Finances
As a person sinks deeper and deeper into addiction, they phase more things out of their lives in order to satisfy those cravings. This could eventually lead a person to disregard rent and bills in favor of funding their addiction and, in some cases, these problems can lead to massive debt problems if left unchecked.
Decreased Appetite or Sudden Weight Loss
Many drugs including marijuana interfere with the way your brain signals that it is hungry and requires nourishment. Many drugs can also place you in an incapacitated state for many hours, leaving a person without the desire to eat for days at a time. This can lead to sudden changes in weight, which can precipitate even more health problems.
Asana Recovery is Here to Help
While changes in routine are common, these sudden changes are something that you should keep an eye on if you suspect someone you know and love is struggling with addiction. At Asana Recovery, our trained team is ready to answer any questions you may have and are available by phone and email to offer peace of mind and path towards recovery.
