Drug Addiction Symptoms

Drug addiction can alter the human brain, often affecting the way an individual thinks and reacts. These behavioral symptoms of drug addiction depend on the type of drug that is abused and the frequency and duration of use. As an individual's drug use increases, you may find that it becomes increasingly difficult to go without the drug. One of the most common drug addiction symptoms when a drug is abruptly discontinued after long term use is intense cravings that can make an individual feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms). Consider these facts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse about the behavioral symptoms of drug addiction.

• Paranoia is a symptom of drug addiction that may cause people to avoid contact with others, hide and stay away from public places.
• Drug addiction may cause depression, which can result in behaviors such as social withdrawal, changes in sleep and attempts at suicide.
• Aggression toward pets, children and partners, as well as strangers, are behavioral symptoms that affect the families and communities of people with drug addiction.
• Sudden emotional outbursts in people with drug addiction are a behavioral symptom of drug addiction that may jeopardize business and personal relationships.
• Poor hygiene is a behavioral symptom of drug addiction that may include damage to the teeth from not brushing, infections with lice, sores and wounds from injecting or injuries, and poor nutrition.
• Committing crimes such as burglary or prostitution to get money for drugs are behaviors that people with drug addiction may not otherwise perform.
• An increase in risk taking, such as having unsafe sex, sharing drug equipment and supplies, and trading sex for drugs, are behavioral symptoms of drug addiction that may have dangerous impacts on health.

Below is a list of the most common addictive drugs and the coinciding addiction symptoms:

Marijuana/Pot: One of the signs that a person has smoked marijuana is rapid, loud talking and bursts of laughter in early stages of intoxication. The user will then become tired or dazed in the later stages. A person who smokes marijuana may experience forgetfulness in conversation, inflammation in whites of eyes; and their pupils are unlikely to be dilated. The pot user may also have brown residue on their fingers. The marijuana user may also have a tendency to drive slowly – below the speed limit .Use or possession of paraphernalia in marijuana use is common including roach clip, packs of rolling papers, pipes or bongs.  Marijuana users are difficult to recognize unless they are under the influence of the drug at the time of observation.  Marijuana does have a distinct odor and may be the same color or a bit greener than tobacco.

Narcotics/Prescription Drugs/Heroin/Opium/Codeine/Oxycontin:  Some of the symptoms of opiate use include drowsiness, slurred speech; constricted pupils fail to respond to light.  Redness and raw nostrils can indicate the inhalation of opiates in a powder form.  Scars (tracks) on inner arms or other parts of body, from needles may be present if a user in injecting these drugs. Intravenous users may also be in possession of paraphernalia including syringes, bent spoons, bottle caps, eye droppers, rubber tubing, cotton and needles. Frequent visits to different physicians or dentists for prescriptions to treat pain of non-specific origin, are very common in narcotic abuse. In cases where an individual has chronic pain and abuse of medication is suspected, it may be indicated by the amounts and frequency of the drug being taken.

Alcohol:  The most obvious symptom of alcohol use in odor on the breath and visible intoxication or drunkenness.  An individual who is intoxicated may have difficulty focusing and glazed appearance of the eyes. A common symptom of alcohol intoxication is either uncharacteristically passive behavior or combative and argumentative behavior. An individual abusing alcohol may experience a complete loss of memory (blackouts).  As an individual becomes addicted to alcohol, the availability and consumption of alcohol becomes the focus of social activities.

Cocaine/Crack/Methamphetamines/Stimulants: Some of the symptoms of stimulant drug addiction include extremely dilated pupils, dry mouth and nose, bad breath, frequent lip licking. More symptoms of stimulant use include excessive activity, difficulty sitting still; lack of interest in food or sleep and the individual may become irritable, nervous, or argumentative. The person using these drugs may be talkative, but conversation often lacks continuity and they may change the subject rapidly. Some of the physical symptoms of cocaine use may include runny nose, cold or chronic sinus or nasal problems and nose bleeds. User of these drugs are often in possession of paraphernalia including small spoons, razor blades, mirror, little bottles of white powder and plastic, glass or metal straws.

Depressants: The symptoms of depressant addiction may mimic that of alcohol intoxication. Also, depressants are frequently used in combination with alcohol. Other noticeable symptoms of depressant addiction include a flat effect, limp appearance, and slurred speech. Symptoms of depressant addiction may be indicated by activities such as frequent visits to several different doctors for prescriptions to treat “nervousness”, “anxiety”, “stress”, etc.

Ecstasy:The most common symptoms of ecstasy addiction are confusion, blurred vision, rapid eye movement, chills or sweating, high body temperature, sweating profusely, dehydrated, confusion, faintness, paranoia or severe anxiety, panic attacks, trance-like state, , unconscious clenching of the jaw, grinding teeth, and muscle tension, very affectionate.

Hallucinogens/LSD/Acid:The symptoms of hallucinogen addiction include extremely dilated pupils, warm skin, excessive perspiration, and body odor. Other symptoms may include distorted sense of sight, hearing, touch; distorted image of self and time perception, mood and behavior changes, the extent depending on emotional state of the user and environmental conditions. Hallucinogenic drugs, which occur both naturally and in synthetic form, distort or disturb sensory input, sometimes to a great degree.

Inhalants: The symptoms of inhalant addiction include substance odor on breath and clothes, runny nose, watering eyes, drowsiness or unconsciousness, poor muscle control. Another indication of inhalant addiction is the presence of bags or rags containing dry plastic cement or other solvent at home, in locker at school or at work.

PCP: The symptoms of PCP addiction include unpredictable behavior; mood may swing from passivity to violence for no apparent reason. PCP user symptoms also may include intoxication, disorientation, fear, terror, rigid muscles, strange gait, and pupils may appear dilated.