Drug use often leads to a decline in a person’s ability to fulfill their responsibilities and maintain their usual hobbies. Someone who is using drugs may neglect obligations at work, school, or home. They may experience a decline in their performance, frequent absences, or decreased motivation to fulfill their usual responsibilities. Individuals who are using drugs may experience financial difficulties as their drug habit becomes increasingly expensive. They may struggle to manage their finances, resulting in unpaid bills, borrowing money from friends or family members, or even resorting to theft to support their drug use.

What are the Behavioral Signs of Drug Use?

Most people struggling with addiction are going to have some form of financial problems considering most, if not all, of their money is supporting their habit. They might have also lost their job due to a lack of productivity. Your loved one may show signs of an increased need for money with little explanation as to why. They may either borrow or steal to pay for their drug use. Outbursts, Resentful Behavior, Intense Irritability, or Mood Swings. They may become moody and not want to talk to you or anyone that may notice changes due to drug use.

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It’s important to recognize that recovery is a personal choice, and the individual may not be ready to seek treatment immediately. Be patient, continue offering your support, and let them know that you are there for them whenever they are ready to take that step. Another potential sign of drug use is the presence of unexplained marks or bruises on the body.

Communicating with Care and Concern

The fact that drug use can often become a top priority may also cause them to lose interest in any other responsibilities. They may forget about plans or things they were supposed to do. Discovering that someone you know may be using drugs can be a difficult and sensitive situation.

Drug use often pulls people into a life that’s separate from the one they’ve always lived—and that separation can happen fast. At Southern Live Oak Wellness we offer comprehensive treatment like our PHP program. If you’re worried about someone, pay attention to these 18 signs.

What Does It Mean To Have a Substance Abuse Problem?

• You may notice your loved one is lying about where they are or who they’re with.
• They may struggle to manage their finances, resulting in unpaid bills, borrowing money from friends or family members, or even resorting to theft to support their drug use.
• Some substances can suppress appetite, leading to significant weight loss.
• One of the noticeable signs of drug use is a sudden change in social circle.
• People often use drugs to change the way they feel, whether to increase pleasure or calm anxiety.

How a person uses drugs can leave visible marks or change their appearance. Drugs that are snorted or administered intravenously may leave various physical signs. Dope drugs like heroin and oxycodone alter brain chemistry, causing addiction, health damage, and behavioral issues. It’s important to approach the conversation with empathy and understanding.

Substance abuse is a complex issue with significant impacts on individuals and society as a whole. It is important to have an understanding of the impact of drug use and the reasons why identifying signs of drug use is crucial. Because of the ups and downs involved with drug abuse, you may notice that this person is showing more depressive side effects, especially when they’re coming down how to tell if someone is on drugs from a high. They may choose to sleep all the time or not want to do anything that requires them to be out of reach of their drug.

Physical Signs of Drug Abuse

• Remember, it’s important to prioritize your own well-being throughout this process.
• The CDC provides critical information on drug overdose prevention that can help save lives.
• Most people struggling with addiction are going to have some form of financial problems considering most, if not all, of their money is supporting their habit.
• Substance use disorder (SUD) is an illness of the brain and body’s reaction to alcohol or drugs.
• It is important to have an understanding of the impact of drug use and the reasons why identifying signs of drug use is crucial.

Therefore, it’s crucial to approach the situation with empathy and gather more information before drawing conclusions. Supporting someone in their journey towards sobriety involves being patient, empathetic, and understanding. Encourage them to seek professional help and treatment, offer emotional support through difficult times, and celebrate their successes along the way. Remember that recovery is a lifelong process that requires ongoing support from loved ones. If you notice any of these cognitive changes in someone you know, it’s important to talk to them and offer your support. It’s crucial to note that long-term drug use can cause permanent damage to the brain, so early intervention is key.

People who inject drugs will have marks or small wounds, usually on their arms. These may also appear on the legs, hands, or sometimes even feet. These marks may become infected depending on the cleanliness of the needles used.

Unexplained Marks or Bruises

It’s important to approach the situation with care, concern, and a desire to help. Here are some steps to consider when approaching someone you suspect might be using drugs. Some substances can suppress appetite, leading to significant weight loss.

While the signs of drug use can vary depending on the drug being used and the individual’s specific circumstances, there are several common indicators to be aware of. These signs can manifest physically, behaviorally, socially, and in various lifestyle changes. If you’re worried about a loved one using addictive drugs or noticing signs like mood swings, slurred speech, or a strange smell, contact Evolve Recovery. We support families across Southern California with care options including PHP, IOP, and secure telehealth to aid recovery. Additionally, a person struggling with drug addiction may start associating with a new group of friends who are also involved in drug use. This change in friend group can be accompanied by a decline in previous relationships or a loss of interest in maintaining connections with family and long-time friends.

Lifestyle and Habit Changes

As drugs become the primary focus of someone’s life, they often spend more and more time using and obtaining drugs. You may notice that their school work or participation in school starts to decrease. They may stop caring about their grades and choose to neglect the work they need to do to improve academic performance. The areas of the brain affected and changed by drug abuse are the same areas of the brain that control cognition and include learning, memory, and higher reasoning. When drugs are abused, those areas in the brain are altered. This disrupts normal functions and may cause a deficit in memory.

They may be depressed when they are not high or start to look at themselves negatively. If your loved one is experiencing withdrawal or overdose symptoms, there is a good chance that they may be struggling with addiction. Seeking medical attention is critical in these situations, even if you are unsure of what they’ve taken or if they’re even using drugs.

Some drugs, like alcohol, marijuana, crack, or meth, have distinct smells that individuals may try to cover up. You may notice those smells on their clothes, in their car or bedroom, or on their breath or skin. Furthermore, individuals may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Hobbies, sports, and social engagements that were once a significant part of their life may take a backseat or become entirely abandoned. It’s important to note that these signs should be considered collectively and in the context of the individual’s overall behavior and well-being. No single sign is definitive proof of drug use, but when multiple signs are present, it may indicate a deeper issue.

This may be because they got caught in possession of a drug, they were selling it, or they may drive while intoxicated and hurt someone. Loss of Interest in Family Activities or Things They Used to Do. Drug use can cause depression or isolation because your loved one doesn’t want anyone to know about their use. The drug may be causing chemical changes to their brain that makes them anxious or reduces their ability to enjoy things that they used to like. Increased drug abuse can lead to anxiety or paranoia, especially if the drug has left their system and they are experiencing withdrawal.