Drug addiction is an urgent problem of modern society. Chemical addiction develops very quickly, especially in children, and even the most effective propaganda directed against drug use cannot be 100% effective. In order to protect your loved ones from this problem and be able to help them in time, it is important to know the signs of drug use.
Behavior
Even someone who does not have enough information about how the person who uses drugs looks and behaves can notice changes in the behavior of a person who is under the influence of drugs.
External signs of drug use differ little from the symptoms of intoxication: a person cannot control the coordination of movements, experiences hyperactivity, or, conversely, stupor.
But unlike the consequences of drinking alcohol-containing drinks, a person who has taken drugs will not have such a characteristic sign of intoxication as a specific smell.
Emotionality
The external signs of drug use include mainly the emotional aspect of behavior. The severity of this symptom depends on which particular drug was taken, but the important fact is that the behavior of the person who took the drug is completely different from his usual behavior.
From the usual emotionality of a person under the influence of narcotic drugs, the inconsistency of actions is distinguished. That is, his reaction to certain events may be objectively abnormal, not consistent with specific circumstances.
For example, signs of drug use may include intense laughter in inappropriate circumstances, violent reactions, and so on. It is noteworthy that the change of moods and conditions occurs very quickly, tears can change laughter, then indifference arises without any external reasons.
Physical activity
Drug use changes the mode of the day and the level of motor activity of a person. Different substances and drugs act differently on the body, but as a rule, most drugs cause hyperactivity.
This can be expressed in a person’s desire to stay in motion all the time. Lack of coordination leads to the fact that movements become fussy. He can move continuously, without feeling any fatigue, but a waste of energy will cause him to hunger and thirst. A drug addict can repeat the same actions until the effect of the narcotic substance stops: he can walk in circles, run, dance and so on. It is important that any of his actions will be objectively aimless, although it may seem to the addict that his actions are logical and consistent.
Appearance
Signs of alcohol and drug use always include a change in a person’s attitude to their appearance and, as a result, appearance. Addicts rarely look after themselves, so they can be distinguished by untidy clothes.
The negative effect of the chemical composition of drugs affects not only health, but also on the appearance of a person. The skin of drug addicts is usually pale, and with a long period of use of drugs, it becomes waxy yellow. In drug addicts, the regenerative abilities of tissues are violated, so even the slightest scratch on the skin leads to inflammation.
In addition to the skin, addicts have poor hair and teeth. Of course, these symptoms are not specific and, with equal probability, can be signs of drug use or various serious diseases. Nevertheless, along with other signs, a pathological condition can be recognized.
Symptoms of addiction in adolescents
The most vulnerable to drug resistance are adolescents. The child’s body quickly undergoes addiction, so it’s important for parents to know how to recognize the alarm signals that the child is taking drugs.
There is an opinion that the main sign of danger is the connection of a teenager with bad companies. But a teenager can easily hide his social circle, but interest in substance use is not. Therefore, signs of drug use in adolescents, primarily, are the child’s increased interest in medicines, pharmacology, and a first-aid kit. A child may want to take drugs for any reason, experimenting with them, trying to take a large dosage or combine two different drugs.
The second sign is a sudden and abrupt change in the behavior of the child. In children, hyperactivity during drug use is more pronounced than in adults, therefore, if a child becomes irritable, restless, he receives numerous complaints from teachers and others, it is necessary to check whether the teenager stores medicines, syringes and other items.
You should also consider the following signs of drug use in adolescents:
- loss of interest in past hobbies;
- irresponsibility;
- theft of money or valuables.
Substances and reaction
Each narcotic substance has its own effect, therefore, the symptoms of drug use will be different.
- Cannabis use can be recognized by intense thirst and hunger. Human movements become sharp, impetuous, he feels the desire to constantly stay in motion. At the same time, his speech is stretched, leisurely.
- The first two uses of opiates cause a feeling of relaxation and euphoria, a person looks peaceful, you can only determine that you have used opiate using a narrowed pupil, even in a dark room. But with subsequent doses of the substance, addiction develops very quickly, so it is difficult for a person to achieve the feeling of bliss that he experienced when he first used opiates. He becomes drowsy and lethargic, while he himself cannot reflect this state: for example, he can fall asleep in the middle of a conversation, then wake up and continue the conversation, as if nothing had happened.
External signs of the use of narcotic substances of the opiate group: pale skin and red swollen lips. - Cocaine is a substance that stimulates the activity of the central nervous system, therefore, the person who used the drug looks very active, he does not feel tired, at the time of the action of the drug, his performance can be colossal. But stimulation of the central nervous system leads to anxiety, nervousness, sweating. After taking cocaine, a drug addict has shortness of breath and an increase in blood pressure.
- Reception of hallucinogens is the easiest to recognize, because a person after taking drugs that cause hallucinations, completely loses control over himself. Hallucinations can be visual, auditory or even olfactory, but in any case, a person has a violation of coordination of movements and narrowing of the pupils.
- Psychostimulants are the most dangerous type of drug, since under their influence a person has a tendency to suicide. In this case, the addict is aggressive and alert, sometimes under the influence of certain types of drugs can experience strong sexual arousal. Under the influence of psychostimulants, a drug addict is never sluggish, on the contrary, he is active, active, talkative.
Symptoms of “breaking”
"Breaking" - the state of the addict in the interval between doses of the next dose. If at first a person uses the drug in order to experience pleasure, then then he needs a dose of the substance in order not to experience severe physical discomfort. The received drug does not cause the addict pleasure, but the feeling of relief from eliminating the signs of withdrawal makes him look for a dose and use the drug again and again.
Signs of drug use in an adult experiencing withdrawal begin with feelings of anxiety, insomnia, and anxiety. A few hours after this, severe pain, muscle stiffness, a semi-unconscious state occur.
This condition is really very painful for a person, the brain requires a new dosage of the substance, and the only way to quickly alleviate this condition is to take a narcotic substance.
What to do when breaking a drug addict?
First of all, you need to understand that breaking a drug addict is not fatal. And even despite the fact that the addict really experiences very painful sensations, he often exaggerates the strength of his bodily sufferings in order to get the dose of the drug he needs.
Addiction treatment
Regardless of what signs of drug use have been detected, efforts must be made so that a person gets an appointment with a narcologist. Affecting an adult is incomparably more difficult than for a child, but a person close to the addict can help him motivate himself to return to a normal, full life without dependence on drugs. It is also important to limit the access of the addict to any medications that can replace the drug, and to contacts with people who can give the addict a new dose of the drug.