They may become moody and not want to talk to you or anyone that may notice changes due to drug use. Excessive use and abuse of these drugs can cause intense highs characterized by hyperactivity and periods of insomnia or intense lows that cause long periods of sleeping or drowsiness. Addictive substances alter the brain’s natural circadian rhythm which can actually cause sleep disturbances well after someone has stopped using the drug. 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.
There are common signs of habitual drug use across all substances as well as signs that are unique to the type of substance abused. 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. If you’re not ready to approach a health care provider or mental health professional, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed on the internet or in the phone book.
Looking for Behavioral Symptoms of Cocaine Use
It’s important to turn to healthy coping mechanisms during these times of change, such as exercising, meditating or learning a new hobby. Consider seeing a mental health professional if you’re having issues managing your stress. As people with SUD often have co-occurring mental health conditions, treating them together rather than separately is generally better. A provider will also ask about your mental health history, as it’s common to have an SUD and a mental health condition.
- Examples include ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol ― a brand used outside the U.S. ― also called roofie) and ketamine.
- These may also appear on the legs, hands, or sometimes even feet.
- Many drug users have made many promises to themselves to stop—and broken them as well, leading them to believe they are incapable of stopping.
According to DSM-5, widely used as a roadmap to diagnosis, it becomes a disorder when use eludes control and interferes with functioning. Substance use disorder is marked by a pattern of pathological behaviors related to use of the substance. Many people struggling with an addiction have some interaction with the law at some point in their life. 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.
Signs of Cocaine Use
Alcohol use is popular on social occasions, but it can be especially tricky to notice when social drinking slides into alcohol use disorder. It may be that a person consumes more drinks than usual in one sitting. Or a person might start consuming alcohol before a social event, or even early in the day. People developing problem use might look for socially https://ecosoberhouse.com/ acceptable reasons to have a drink, or they might start concealing their alcohol consumption from others around them. There are both physical and behavioral clues that someone might be experiencing a problem with substance use. None of them is definitive, and there may be many other causes, but the presence of multiple signs merits special consideration.
The following are tips on how to talk to a loved one about their substance use. We’d love the opportunity to help you during this overwhelming and difficult process. The Summit Wellness Group is located in Georgia and all of your calls will be directed to one of our local staff members. Our sincere passion is helping people recover so that they can live full, meaningful and healthy lives.
Know the Signs of Drug Abuse
Substances of abuse affect the reward system of the brain, mediated by the neurotransmitter dopamine. The physical changes to the pleasure-experiencing centers of the brain induce physical changes to the prefrontal cortex, weakening the capacity for decision-making and impulse control. • Developing the unpleasant physiologic symptoms of withdrawal—shakiness, sweating, queasiness or vomiting, headache—when unable to take the substance. Withdrawal is a highly variable sign of addiction; it occurs with use of some drugs (alcohol, for example) but not others (cocaine); however, it often drives continuing use. Withdrawal can require medical treatment when a person abruptly stops heavy substance use. When an individual suffering from alcohol use disorder stops drinking, they will experience withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, insomnia, and anxiety.
Other examples include ketamine and flunitrazepam or Rohypnol — a brand used outside the U.S. — also called roofie. Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, snorted, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, which results in dangerous health effects or even death. Click on any substance below to find out some characteristic signs and symptoms of abuse and addiction to that substance. Learning to recognize the physical or behavioral signs of drug use can help to prevent the problem from progressing further.
How can I help a loved one with substance use disorder?
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that, as of mid-February, more than 21,000 people were hospitalized with Covid, and there had been roughly 10,000 Covid-related deaths in 2024. This website is using a security service to protect itself signs of drug use from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Remember that even though alcohol use is normalized in our culture, no amount of alcohol is good for you.
- The person will be irritable, paranoid, and aggressive or fearful.
- They’ll often neglect people and activities that were once important to them.
- You maintain a belief that you can stop any time you want—despite evidence to the contrary.
- Adolescents are especially at risk for developing SUD due to exposure.
- This would be transformational to families and communities across the region,” said Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash.