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What
are the signs and symptoms of drug addiction and abuse?
The
more drug use begins to affect and control a person's life, the more
likely it is that he or she has a drug problem. Unfortunately, substance
abusers are often the last ones to recognize their own symptoms of
dependence and addiction. If you suspect that a friend or loved one
is abusing drugs, it's important to remember that drug abusers often
try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. But there
are a number of warning signs you can look for:
| • |
Inability
to relax or have fun without doing drugs. |
| • |
Sudden
changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades. |
| • |
Frequently
borrowing money, selling possessions, or stealing items from employer,
home, or school. |
| • |
Angry
outbursts, mood swings, irritability, manic behavior, or overall
attitude
change. |
| • |
Talking
incoherently or making inappropriate remarks. |
| • |
Deterioration
of physical appearance and grooming. |
| • |
Wearing
sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts frequently or at inappropriate
times. |
| • |
No
longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating
with known users. |
| • |
Engaging
in secretive or suspicious behaviors, such as making frequent trips
to the restroom, basement, or other isolated areas where drug use
would be undisturbed. |
| • |
Talking
about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use. |
| • |
Expressing
feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness. |
| • |
Using
drugs first thing in the morning. |
Source:
http://www.helpguide.org
What
are the signs and symptoms of drug use and abuse in teens?
There are several telltale signs of possible drug use or abuse in
teenagers. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between
the normal, sometimes
volatile ups and downs of adolescent development and the red flags of substance
abuse.
According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, sudden or extreme changes
in personality, appearance, school performance, or extracurricular activities
may indicate teen drug use. For example, a previously well-behaved, respectful
teenager may become emotionally volatile, hostile, or violent. A teenager
who is abusing drugs may also withdraw from family and friends, drop previously
enjoyed activities, and neglect schoolwork. Secretive behavior and lying
to cover up drug use is also common. In addition, teen drug users may steal,
ask for money, or sell valuable possessions in order to support their habit.
Warning Signs of Teen Drug Use.
| • |
Negative
changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades. |
| • |
Increased
secrecy about possessions or activities. |
| • |
Use
of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical
odors. |
| • |
Subtle
changes in conversations with friends (more secretive, using “coded” language). |
| • |
New
friends. |
| • |
Change
in clothing choices — new fascination with clothes that highlight
drug use. |
| • |
Increase
in borrowing money. |
| • |
Evidence
of drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and rolling papers. |
| • |
Evidence
of inhaling products and accessories, such as hairspray, nail polish,
correction fluid, paper bags and rags, and common household products. |
| • |
Bottles
of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated
pupils. |
| • |
New
use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol. |
| • |
Missing
prescription drugs — especially narcotics and mood stabilizers. |
Source: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
What is Methamphetamine?
Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, is a powerful stimulant
that affects the central nervous system. Amphetamines were originally
intended for use in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers and
have limited medical applications, which include the treatment of narcolepsy,
weight control, and attention deficit disorder. Methamphetamine can
be smoked, snorted, orally ingested, and injected. It is accessible
in many different forms and may be identified by color, which ranges
from white to yellow to darker colors such as red and brown.
Methamphetamine
comes in a powder form that resembles granulated crystals and in a
rock form known as "ice," which is the smokeable version
of methamphetamine that came into use during the 1980s.
How can I tell if a loved one is under its influence?
Symptoms:
Amphetamines are psychologically addictive. Users become dependent on
the drug to avoid the "down" feeling they often experience
when the drug's effect wears off. This dependence can lead a user to
turn to stronger stimulants such as cocaine, or to larger doses of amphetamines
to maintain a "high."
People who abruptly stop using amphetamines often experience the physical
signs of addiction, such as fatigue, long periods of sleep, irritability,
and depression. How severe and prolonged these withdrawal symptoms are
depends on the degree of abuse. That boost we get from that morning cup
of coffee is the result of the caffeine that naturally occurs in coffee.
Caffeine is a common stimulant and is found not only in coffee and tea,
but also in soft drinks and other foods. It can also be bought over-the-counter
in tablet form. Too much caffeine can cause anxiousness, headaches, and
the "jitters." Caffeine is also addictive and a person who
abruptly stops drinking coffee may experience withdrawal symptoms.
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