Signs & Effects of Drug Addiction to Prescription Drugs, Cocaine, LSD, Ecstacy, PCP, Heroin

Statistics reveal that around 80 percent of drug addicts experiment the drug at social places and gradually get hooked onto it. The kind of drug used decides how fast one becomes addicted to it and how risky the addiction is as some drugs cause addiction very quickly and are more dangerous too. It is important to know the signs of drug addiction to be able to seek treatment at the earliest.

With time, the addict develops tolerance for the drug and requires larger doses than before to reach a high. In the later stages, the drug makes the addict feel good and relaxed and with increased drug use, the addict simply cannot survive with it. If the addicts are deprived of the drug, they experiences intense craving for it and may also fall ill without it.

Here are some signs of drug addiction. The most common signs of drug addiction along with different behavioral patterns include:

• Feeling the urge to use the drug every day. Some addicts need to use the drug once daily while other might require it several times in a day.
• Even if the addicts cannot afford it, they spend a good amount of money on drugs
• Experiencing extreme urges to use the drug
• Avoids all work responsibilities, obligations and is no longer interested in indulging in recreational or social activities
• Over time the dosage used increases to reach the same high
• Starts stealing and lying to obtain the drug anyhow
• Maintaining a supply of the drug regularly
• Focusing all the energy and time in obtaining the drug and then using it
• Performing risky activities such as driving or using heavy machines under the influence of the drug
• If the addicts stop using the drugs, they start experiencing withdrawal symptoms
• All attempts to stop drug usage fail
• The addict’s set of friends change and they only associate with people who are drug addicts. They may also visit new places with them to use drugs.
• The addicts start looking different. They may lose or gain a lot of weight, suffer from tremors and bad breathe and may also complain of a bloody nose. Bloodshot eyes also become a common site.
• The addicts either sleep too much or too little. Changes in food pattern are also seen.
• The addicts try to hide the use of drugs from people around them.
• Inability to perform normal daily things.
• Feeling of irritation, agitation and lack of motivation.
• No personal hygiene
• Financial problems start to occur as the addict spends all his money on drugs

Let us analyze the signs of drug addiction which are related to some of the most commonly used drugs:

Some signs of drug addiction also include the addiction to prescription drugs. Here are some signs that you are addicted to prescription drugs.

You are not using your prescribed medicines as advised by your doctor. Instead you take larger doses of the drugs. You do not tell your doctor about all the drugs you are taking

• Using the prescribed drugs in a form other than prescribed such as crushing the tablet and inhaling it.
• You continue consuming the drug even when it is not required anymore
• You visit several doctors to get a prescription for the same
• You search your friend’s or relative’s medicine cabinet to obtain extra dosage of the drug
• You use the drugs which have been prescribed for someone else
• You take the drugs mixed with other drugs or alcohol

Some of the most common signs of drug addiction to methamphetamine drugs are

• Sleeplessness for days and even weeks at a stretch
• Loss of appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Pupils dilate
• Talkative and excited
• No sense of power
• Anxiety and depression
• Nervousness and excessive sweating
• Hallucinations
• Violence and aggression
• Mood changes and feeling of dizziness
• Blurred vision

Some common signs of drug addiction to Ecstasy are:

• Mental and physical stimulations and perception of light, touch and sound changes
• Body temperature increases
• Reduced appetite
• Emotional responses increase
• Clenching of teeth and cramping of muscles
• Chills, sweating and nausea
• Overheated body which can also prove fatal

The common signs of drug addiction to cocaine are:

• Impaired thinking
• Anxiety and depression
• Confused mental state
• Panic attacks
• Always suspicious of others
• Lack of sleep and loss in appetite
• Pupils dilate
• Very little sexual drive
• Irritability
• Paranoia and hallucinations
• Feeling of restlessness

Here are some of the signs of drug addiction to LSD:

• Pupils dilate
• Discoloration of skin
• No co-ordination
• Hallucinations
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anxiety and panic
• Self-destructive behavior
• Feeling of helplessness

The common signs of drug addiction to PCP are:

• Bizarre or violent behavior which has often lead to suicide
• Anxiety and aggression
• Paranoia
• Skin flushing
• Dizziness and sweating
• Impaired perception
• Feeling of numbness

Signs of drug addiction to short-term use of Inhalant are as follows:

• Childish behavior such as silliness and giggling
• Dizziness accompanied by headache
• Euphoria
• Fainting

Signs of drug addiction to long-term use of Inhalant are as follows:

• Loss of memory
• Emotionally unstable
• Fails to reason things
• Fluttering eyes and slurred speech
• Loss of hearing
• Brain atrophy
• Acts clumsily

Signs of drug addiction to Heroin include

• Dreamlike state all day long causing the addict to drift off to sleep for hours
• Becoming powerless
• Chemically enforced euphoria

Signs of drug addiction to Marijuana include

• Eating compulsively
• Eyes become reddish and the addict is unable to keep them open
• Mouth feels dry
• Uncontrollable laughter
• Memory loss which is generally short-term
• Forgetfulness
• Motor skills become delayed
• Becomes lethargic
• No motivation
• Feels lazy
• Paranoia and hallucinations
• Sudden changes in mood and behavior

If you are a drug addict who is suffering from any of these signs of drug addiction, then it is important for you to seek help at the earliest. Also, if you notice these signs in your loved ones, get them the help they need right away. If an addict receives professional help, more are the chances of overcoming the addiction and recovering completely. A drug rehabilitation program can be of great help to overcome this dangerous addiction.

Also Read:

• Effects of Long Term Use of Inhalants & its Treatment, Rehab