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Guide
Signs of Drug Addiction
by Joe Walker
Drug addiction is an insidious disease that takes over a person’s life and clouds their world in a fog of problems and struggles. The signs of drug addiction are many and varied depending on what type of drug is being abused.
Different drugs affect people in different ways. For example, marijuana may make a person appear spaced out and distant while amphetamines will appear hyper and upbeat. Some people are more prone to addiction as some drugs are more likely to bring about an addiction than others.
If you have been using drugs and are concerned that you may have an addiction, look for the following signs:
An increase or decrease in appetite, changes in eating habits, or a sudden weight loss
Changes in personality with no other identifiable cause
Loss of interest in activities you used to find enjoyable
Difficult in paying attention or forgetfulness
Lack of motivation and energy
Fitful sleep
Paranoia
Trouble with managing money
Inability to stop using your drug of choice
Excessive pre-occupation with your drug supply
Doing things you normally wouldn’t do if not on the drug
Use of drugs despite health problems or warnings
Change in personal grooming habits like showering and changing clothes
The signs of drug addiction in others are similar to those listed above. You can also look for the following indicators as well:
Smell of substance on clothes (e.g. marijuana, chemicals)
Sudden need for privacy
Violent temper or bizarre behavior
Secretive or suspicious behavior
Defensiveness or excessive laziness
Unusual effort to cover up legs and arms
Unexplained silliness or giddiness
Drop in school or work performance
Changes in friends
Extreme hyperactivity or excessive talktativeness
If you notice any of these signs, a drug addiction could very well be present. It’s important that these signs are not ignored and that help is sought for either you or a loved one. The longer a drug addiction lasts, the more damage it can do to the mind and body, so getting help for the addiction is the best course of action.
It’s certainly easier to simply ignore any possibility that a drug addiction exists, but when you see the signs, it should become clear that there is a problem. Once the problem is identified, it can effectively be tackled and overcome – with the right treatment. Looks for the signs of drug addiction and then face the problem. It’s the only way you can win the fight!
Joe Walker is a freelance Internet writer. You can find more resources on drug addiction, drug rehab and addiction recovery on http://www.recoveryhelper.org.
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