Alcohol or drug abuse is a common condition that may affect people from all age groups or backgrounds. It is a chronic disease that affects the human brain and alters the behavioral functions of an individual.
It is always hard to tell if a person is addicted to alcohol or opioids especially in the early stages. However, the sooner one finds out, the more likely they are to help loved ones to recover.
In the beginning, an individual may take drugs because they like how it makes them feel. However, the fact that they believe they can control the intake and its continuous consumption can lead to drug abuse destroying not only physical but the person’s mental well-being as well.
Overdose of prescribed drugs may also lead to abuse and increase the risk of addiction. Alcohol and drug abuse can cause damages that last for a long time.
Drug and alcohol addiction has been escalating around the world, affecting a broad range of people. Individuals in the early stages of life, struggling to build a living, are more likely to engage in these practices as they believe the substance intake will mediate their stress, anxiety, and pressure.
Young adults are attracted to these either out of curiosity or because of peer pressure. This results in failure to launch for an individual putting not only their career but also their personal development at stake.
Considering how common the issue has become, it is imperative to know what are the symptoms of addiction and how to recognize if someone is on drug abuse.
How to Tell If a Loved One is Involved in Drug Abuse
Drug abuse symptoms may include a variety of problems an addict may be facing. Following are some common symptoms you should look out for:
● Failing Relationships
Alcohol or opioid abuse is highly likely to bring physical and emotional challenges for an individual. Intake of substance can make a person feel disconnected from the world resulting in them not giving relationships a priority.
Anger and frustration may add to the fire.
● Deteriorating Work Performance
Lacking the ability to maintain focus, not paying attention to details, impaired judgments, and the inability to make high-risk decisions are some of the symptoms a person who is engaging in drug abuse may exhibit. Leaving responsibilities unfulfilled puts an individual’s credibility at stake.
● Decreasing Interest in Activities
A person who engages in drug abuse is more likely to feel sleepy and lethargic all the time. They will often experience dizziness and shallow breathing. Drug abuse symptoms may include refraining from or disengaging from physical activities and workouts.
● Change in Eating Pattern
Symptoms of addiction may also include a person’s eating habits. A person involved in drug abuse may sometimes be eating a lot or not eating at all.
● Sudden Mood Shifts
Drug abuse may affect a person’s abilities to behave in certain situations as well as experiencing mood swings. This includes feeling extremely numb in one instance or really excited in another. Getting angry or overreacting even at a minor inconvenience also accompanies.
● Deteriorating Health
Drug and alcohol intake has the ability to make an individual prone to diseases. Overdose of substances leads to a weakened immune system, sexual dysfunction, respiratory congestion, and blood infections.
● Financial Struggle
The financial instability of an individual without any obvious cause may also be directed as a symptom. After all, alcohol and opioids are expensive and high levels of addiction require every penny to be spent on it.
Signs that Show Addiction to Alcohol or Opioids
After a few intakes of alcohol or opioids, a lot of physical and behavioral signs appear showing an individual is under influence.
Physical Signs
● Pale skin
● Sudden weight gain or loss
● Red, itchy eyes
● Heavy or slowed breathing
● Nausea and constipation
● Drowsiness
● Impaired balance and lacking coordination
● Slower reflexes
Behavioral Signs
● Difficulty maintaining focus
● Hard to keep up conversations
● Self-harming actions
● High sexual behavior
● Irresponsible behavior
● Decreased tolerance
● Anxiety disorders
How Is Addiction Treated?
You can find relief in the fact that drug and alcohol abuse can be effectively treated both through meditation and therapy. Not only do these solutions help an individual refrain from consumption but also from complete withdrawal.
If the symptoms are recognized, timely steps can be taken to action the treatment. These include:
● Detoxification
This is the first step to begin the treatment – a process in which all harmful substances are medically removed from the individual’s body. Opioid withdrawal may be hard and painful but professional care is imperative.
● Rehabilitation
The second step is a residential treatment where therapeutic models are put in practice to help patients learn about themselves and recognize reasons to consume opioids. Recognizing helps them find better coping mechanisms and understand the potential drawbacks of going back to that practice.
● Drug Recovery Coach
Passing on from residential treatment of one-on-one counseling, recreational therapy, and help groups, a recovery coach helps a patient transition from a rehab environment to the home. Some things might trigger the behavior post recovery and in order to complete those, a drug recovery coach can help face the challenges and monitor the progress. This lowers the chance of relapse and allows the patient to recover in a judgment-free environment.
How Can Family Intervention Help?
It is extremely important to notice the symptoms at an early stage of addiction to prevent it from changing into long-term behavior. The easiest way to approach the situation is through friends and family intervention. Parent supervision and peers’ trust and support can help an individual escape the influence of drug abuse and eliminate the chances of failure to launch.
Doctors or addiction experts also interview and follow up with the patient’s family to ensure their well-being after intake of remedial medications. Family involvement and tolerance help fasten the recovery process.
Although recognizing the symptoms is hard and the treatment process can be slow and challenging, recovery is always the hope. Rebuilding interpersonal relationships, expanding their role in the community, and relaunching their careers, all can prove a successful recovery.
