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Drug Addiction Information & Warning Signs
Slash from Guns N' Roses Talks about Addiction
Table of Contents
Page Summary
Information on drugs & alcohol addiction and the effects of short to long term drug & alcohol abuse. The warning signs of addiction & abuse can be easily overlooked. Learn all the signs and symptoms.
Awareness and education are the two most powerful forces in combating or even keeping drug or alcohol addiction from ever surfacing in your family. Our intention is to increase overall awareness on drug and alcohol addiction and to shed light on the early warning signs that a loved one may be using drugs or even be abusing a legal substance.
Drug Rehab HQ has prepared information on drug and alcohol addiction as well as a list of the common warning signs and indicators that some one may be using a specific drug, or that a legally prescribed medication or alcohol has started being misused.
Alcohol Addiction Information
A number of factors may lead one to suspect that someone is an alcoholic. First, a person may appear accident-prone because they repeatedly report bizarre accidents and unexplained injuries. One technique used by some doctors is called the (C-A-G-E) questionnaire. Which consists of four cleverly worded questions about the person's drinking habits.
Have you ever:
- been Annoyed by comments about your drinking?
- had an Early drink to start the day
- tried to Cut down on your drinking?
- felt Guilty about your drinking?
Another way you can decide if someones drinking should be cause for concern is by reading the following qualifiers for addiction and if one or more of the following statements are true there is likely some degree of dependency.
1) Your drinking has become a topic of concern. You tend to find yourself worrying about it and wondering if it has become a bigger problem than you admit. You probably don't dwell on these thoughts, but they do arise from time to time.
2) Your drinking is an issue of concern to one or more of your friends or acquaintances. It is known that others have noticed your drinking patterns, and they may or may not have mentioned their concern. (Any and all encounters with Law enforcement officials regarding consumption) should be included in this statement.
3) When consuming alcohol, there is a marked change in mood. You feel different emotions once the drinking has begun. You may experience happiness, or become depressed, irritable or even aggressive once you have had a few drinks.
4) Your behavior shifts when you've been drinking. There are incidents where you do things while intoxicated that under normal circumstances you would never do.
5) You drink in excess (far beyond legal limits) on a regular or repetitive basis. While this may only happen occasionally, it is an early warning sign because of the fact that it continues to occur.
Many people meet one or more of these criteria, and do not consider themselves to be alcoholic. The alcoholic tends not see the disease coming until it is in full force. For more information on alcohol abuse and treatment please contact us or view available alcohol abuse treatment centers in your state.
Physical Symptoms of Alcoholism
Some obvious signs of excessive alcohol consumption include broken capillaries (small blood vessels) on the face, a raspy voice, uncontrollable trembling in the hands, and chronic diarrhea. thorough physical examination may uncover, a visible network of enlarged veins just under the skin around the navel, fluid in the abdomen, a yellowish tone to the skin(Jaundice), decrease in the size of the testicles, and poor nutritional health. Blood analysis may reveal an increase in the size of red blood cells, a reduced number of white blood cells, and an increase in the number of certain liver enzymes. If you or a loved one are suffering from these symptoms please contact one of the alcohol abuse treatment centers in your service area.
Heroin Addiction Information
Someone who is addicted to heroin requires treatment. Heroin can be injected, snorted, or smoked. Heroin is converted to morphine in the brain, where it clings to opioid receptors and produces a euphoric burst of pleasure referred to as a rush. The drug has a depressant effect slowing breathing and suppressing pain. After the initial rush, the user often experiences a drowsy state (called being "on the nod") in which thought becomes convoluted. Additionally chronic heroin abusers quickly become dependent on it and if they go a period of time without it they will go in to shock and experience acute withdrawal symptoms.
Indicators that some one may be on Heroin are:
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Vision problems
- Slowed breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Reduced sex drive
- Increased urination
- Low body temperature
- Sweating
- Constricted pupils
- Unexplained itching in the skin
- Lethargy or drowsiness
- Redness and irritation around nostrils from snorting
- Needle track marks or scars on arms, hands, legs or feet
- Evasive behavior and lying about activities or whereabouts
- Paraphernalia, including syringes, bent spoons, rubber tubes, and eye droppers
- Personality changes, increased recklessness or fearlessness, poor judgment and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
Heroin Withdrawl Symptoms
Withdrawal can occur within hours of the last use, but symptoms may be at their worst between 48 and 72 hours after the last use and then taper off over several days. Severe withdrawal among heavy users is occasionally fatal, but heroin withdrawal is less dangerous than withdrawal from other drugs such as alcohol or barbiturates.
If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the symptoms listed below please view your addiction treatment rehab facilities in your local area or Contact Us to receive additional information.
Heroin Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Drug craving
- Restlessness
- Generalized pain
- Insomnia
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Cold and hot flashes
- Erratic movements
- Severe cramping
Crystal Meth Addiction Information
Crystal Meth addiction is one of the scariest addictions currently faced by society. It is quickly becoming the drug of choice in most of the states across the country. This is leading to a serious epidemic of drug addiction throughout the United States.
Some indicators someone may be using this drug are:
- Alertness and inability to sleep: Someone might have used meth if you notice a change in sleeping patterns, especially staying up for days on end and then sleeping for a few days straight.
- Nervous physical activity or ticks: You may notice fidgeting and possibly scratching or picking at skin fingernails or hair, there may even be uncontrollable twitches
- Decreased or absent appetite: Uninterested in food, and exhibits extreme weight loss or suddenly unable to fit their clothes.
- Heavy breathing or increased body temperature: an individual under the influence of meth might appear out of breath or be sweating for no apparent reason.
- Burns: Strange burns on lips or fingers may be evidence someone is smoking meth through a hot glass or metal pipe.
- Nosebleeds: meth can cause nosebleeds and eventually eat away at the lining of the nose.
- Missing valuables: From stealing cash from your wallet to swiping valuables like jewelry and heirlooms to pawn for money to purchase more drugs.
- Track marks: Someone using meth intravenously will likely have track marks on their arms, legs, fingers or toes or any other place a needle can reach the vein.
- Lack of ambition in personal appearance: Meth addict may stop showering. Loose interest in grooming. Or May quit brushing teeth
- Deceitful or secretive: Constant lies, Plans sounding fishy or vague may indicate that there is a meth problem Bedroom door always closed and a seemingly endless string of excuses to justify behavior or mysterious absences.
- Violence and aggression: Meth affects the central nervous system, which in turn can affect a person's mood. Look for wild mood swings, hostility or abusive behavior.
- Presence of inhaling and injecting paraphernalia: If you noticed razor blades, mirrors, straws, syringes, spoons or surgical tubing, this is a clear sign of drug abuse
- Withdrawn from family and friends: Look for deteriorating relationships with family members and friends
- May be depressed: exhibit a lack of enthusiasm and not share or express themselves as they used to
- Problems at school: This can include slipping grades, truancy and decreased motivation.
- Euphoria and rush: May be inexplicably alert and energized, even after being awake and active all night long.
Long-Term Use Can Result In:
- Dependence: Can't function in their day-to-day activities without meth, they are dependent
- Addiction psychosis: This can include a number of disturbing behaviors: hallucinations, paranoia, mood disturbances, repetitive motor activity and may even talk to people who aren't there or become so paranoid that they can't leave the house.
- Severe anorexia: Some take meth to lose weight, and become dependant on the drug. The weight loss can be rather quick and drastic, leaving these individuals looking like skin and bones.
- Memory loss: Meth is very toxic and can affect the brain so much that the user may begin to show symptoms similar to Alzheimer's, Stroke, liver or heart failure meth puts the body in overdrive, which can fatally damage one's internal organs.
Cocaine Addiction Information
Cocaine is a white powder that is derived from the coca plant and produced across much of South America in recent years this drug has grown in popularity and availability and sadly there are more and more people coming in to contact with this drug daily. Cocaine addiction is running rampant as it is often abused as a party drug.
Some early warning signs that one may be using cocaine are:
- Red, bloodshot eyes
- A runny nose or frequently sniffing or stuffed up
- A change in eating or sleeping patterns
- Frequently needing money
- Sudden and significant weight loss
- A change in groups of friends
- A change in school grades or behavior
- Losing interest in school, family, or activities once enjoyed
- Sudden influx of questionable details, deception when relaying facts
- Acting withdrawn, depressed, tired, or careless about personal appearance
- Injection users will have Syringes, cotton balls, distilled water and a spoon.
- Track marks (injection wounds) that follow a vein up the arm or repeated wounds around the ankles or toes
- Paraphernalia; white powder, razor blades, mirrors with powder residue, rolled up bills or short sections of plastic straws
If you or a loved one are showing these warning signs please contact one of our cocaine rehabilitation centers in your area.
Crack Cocaine Addiction Information
Crack Cocaine is a highly purified and smokeable version of cocaine which is growing in popularity all across the United States of America as it is a drug dealer's dream drug. Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and potent drug that does not last very long so once a person has used it wont be long before they require more of the drug.
Warning Signs a person is addicted to crack cocaine include:
- Change the circle of friendsnon-using family and friends
- Withdraw from non-using family and friends
- Borrow or steal money to buy the drug
- Compulsively seek crack and dwell on the next use
- Become evasive or lie about activities or whereabouts
- Significant and sudden weight loss
- Experience personality changes, poor judgment, and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
- They will often have "Crack Hands" yellow staining, and dirty fingers, which may be swollen or have burns or cracks from repeatedly using a lighter even when heated to the point that it burns the skin on contact
Long-term use of crack cocaine has been associated with personality changes, especially in adolescents. Once addicted to Crack cocaine a person may disappear for periods of time with no explanation for their absence and when they return they will often be withdrawing from the drug. If you or a loved one is suffering from these symptoms please contact a drug addiction treatment center in your area or one of DRHQ's helpful resources.
Withdrawal from crack cocaine may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Apathy
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Irritability
- Oversleeping
- Extreme thirst and hunger lasting several days
Marijuana Addiction Information
Early warning signs of abuse:
- Alcohol use before the age of fifteen
- Cigarette use before the age of fifteen
- Twenty or more unexcused absences from school
- Alcohol arrest
- Drug arrest
And four distinct Attitudes:
- Smoking cigarettes is safe
- My parents think its O.K. to smoke cigarettes
- Smoking marijuana is safe
- My parents think its O.K. to smoke marijuana
Observable signs that someone may be using marijuana:
- Dilated pupils
- Rolling papers
- Smell on clothing, in room
- Bloodshot eyes
- Sleepy appearance
- Reduced motivation
- Paraphernalia
- Difficulty thinking
- Dry mouth
- Feeling sluggish
- Impaired judgment
- Impaired short-term memory
- Inappropriate laughter
- Random increase in appetite
- Reduced coordination
- Temporary reduced anxiety
- Social withdrawal/isolation
- Discolored fingers
- Use of incense
Ecstasy Addiction Information
Ecstasy is a drug that appeals to a young crowd and is popular in the late night dance bars the fact that it increases energy and allows its users to access seemingly unlimited energy. Signs that someone is abusing ecstasy may include changes in their behavior, in their mood, even in the clothes they wear.
Some specific indicators may be:
- Irritable
- Sore jaw
- Grades dropping off
- Loss of ambition and motivation
- Peer group changes, new friends
- Sleeping patterns change
- Possesses paraphernalia: glow sticks, pacifiers, lollipops and mentholated vapor rub or inhalers
- Memory-loss, or inability to recall details, similar to Alzheimer's disease
- Asks for money when going out with friends and stresses they won't be "drinking"
Signs that your child could be high on ecstasy:
- Restless, constantly in motion
- Sweating profusely, high body temperature
- Trance-like state
- Transfixed on sights and sounds
- Increased pupil size (hardly any eye color in normal light)
- Very affectionate
- Unconscious of clenching their jaw
- Eyes rolling Back in their head
- Chattering teeth
Some call the withdrawal experienced after a weekend of partying, usually on Tuesday "Suicide Tuesday".
GHB Addiction Information
GHB can affect your brain and body. GHB or (gammahydroxybutyrate) is often used at raves or nightclubs and concerts. Club drugs, like GHB, can damage the neurons in your brain, impairing your senses, memory, judgment, and coordination. People who are abusing GHB may experience nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and breathing problems. No amount is a safe amount.
If someone exhibits one or more of the following warning signs, they may be using club drugs:
- Problems remembering things they recently said or did
- Loss of coordination, dizziness, fainting
- Depression
- Confusion
- Sleep problems
- Chills or sweating
- Slurred speech
Oxycontin Addiction Information
Actor Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medications including painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills, the New York City medical examiner’s office said. Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and other “celebrities” have also been known to take these medications. There has been massive outcry since the introduction of this drug and at least one 600 million lawsuit has been successfully brought against its manufacturers.
Oxycontin is one of the most versatile and popular opiate (derived from the opium poppy) addictive drugs to hit the market. Once the time release coating is removed from these tablets they can then be crushed and snorted, dissolved in water and injected, or burned on aluminum foil and smoked. Removing the time release coating makes Oxycontin virtually identical to china-white heroin a highly refined version of the drug. Please refer to the warning signs listed for heroin use as they are identical for Oxycontin abuse & addiction.
Drug Rehabilitation Services
If you have seen recent and sudden changes in a loved one's mood or disposition, and you suspect those changes to be the result of drug use but you are unsure of exactly what drug a loved one may be using, please browse through the entire list. Take a few moments and read through each substance and it's "tell-tale" indicators so you can develop an idea if a loved one may be addicted. Alcohol drug treatment centers that can be found in your area can be searched on the left side of the page.
This information will ultimately allow you to better understand the types of addiction rehabilitation services required for a successful recovery. If you would like assistance and an assessment from of one of our counsellors, don't hesitate to contact us, our service is always free and confidential.
