Drug addiction is a societal problem. It is a mistake to think that homeless people or people who have had a bad life become addicts. It can affect anyone. Someone in our community who we don’t suspect at all can have a drug problem and still have a great job, a great family or good grades at school and many friends.
Drug addiction is a disease, and like most diseases can affect everyone. There are many subtle signs of addiction that are very easy to miss. A person addicted to drugs rarely admits to the disease and almost always denies their addiction. One must be able to discern the details in order to react in time to help.
Signs of drug addiction
An addicted person often has changes in behavior. Suddenly there is a complete change in interests. Fluctuations in mood and activity appear – from excessive excitement and excess energy to apathy. Friendships with old buddies cease and new acquaintances appear in a short time from nowhere. There may be a change in style of dress, a new hairstyle, earrings, tattoos. At the same time, there may be launches in the sphere of personal hygiene.
Attacks of aggression and anger occur, which pass in a minute. More often such a person can be caught lying, cheating. The person who until then has been close to us, becomes distant, closes in on himself, lives in his own world. These symptoms are so common that one can only assume there are problems. In addition, this behavior can cause depression. Changes in behavior may not always be noticed. Our lives have acquired a fast pace, so there is not enough time to be attentive even to those who are close to us. But sometimes it is worth it to stop.
It is also worth paying attention to appearance. The consequence of drug abuse is a sharp decrease in weight. Also, changes in the color of the skin of the face – it becomes earthy and pale, in addition, skin changes on the face may appear. The pupils are dilated or constricted. Other obvious signs of drug use are injection marks and bruises.
Symptoms of drug use
The effects after drug use depend on the type of drug, the composition, the dosage, and whether or not it is the first use. The following are frequent manifestations of the use of specific drugs:
Marijuana and hashish cause increased appetite, relaxation, heightened sense of smell and taste detection, euphoria, unexplained laughter, disorientation, sleepiness, increased sweating, and a rapid pulse;
Ecstasy – jaw clenching, eye twitching, sweating, increased heart rate and blood pressure, restlessness, agitation;
LSD – loss of sense of direction, distance and time, hallucinations, increased blood pressure, sweating, paranoia, agitation, dilated pupils;
hallucinogenic mushrooms – dilation of the pupils, sudden changes in mood, hallucinations, caused by a sense of fear, a feeling of isolation, detachment from reality;
amphetamine – a large excess of energy, good mood, insomnia, lack of appetite, dilated pupils, anxiety;
cocaine – dilation of the pupils, euphoria, increased sensory perception, aggravation of hearing;
Heroin – constriction of pupils, drowsiness, vomiting, itching;
Manifestation of dependence
Each drug is addictive, some less so, others more so. This happens because the body has adapted to the constant supply of drugs and now without the psychoactive substance it ceases to function properly.
Drugs can affect almost any organ of the body. Marijuana abuse can cause a dry, lingering cough. Lingering catarrh as well as nosebleeds can be indicative of amphetamine use. Drugs affect the overall body, which is manifested by weakness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, and changes in voiding rhythm.
Drugs negatively affect the body’s immune system, making the body unstable against infections. Blood pressure and body temperature jumps may appear. Deterioration in the condition of the teeth. Soreness appears in different parts of the body. Loss of appetite is noticeable. Disturbances of mental system appear: disorders of consciousness, excessive sleepiness, apathy – one of the most frequent manifestations of prolonged addiction. Hallucinations may appear.