10 Warning Signs of Drug Addiction
The startling statistic that was released recently by the CDC was truly a wake-up call: 93,000 Americans lost their lives to a drug overdose death in 2020. This represents the highest number of overdose deaths ever recorded.
What makes the report even more devastating is that a large percentage of those deaths might have been prevented with early intervention. According to SAMHSA data, of the 20 million people struggling with a substance use disorder, only 2 million , or 10%, ever seek treatment.
There are definitely barriers to treatment. Some people lack health insurance and resources to be able to enter a rehabilitation program. Some fear stigma, that their reputation might be marred if they took time off work to get help. Others have family obligations and are not free to take time away to go into treatment. These may be formidable roadblocks, but most are surmountable.
Too often, though, it is denial or a lack of understanding about the nature of addiction that keeps people stuck in their affliction. Becoming better informed about the warning signs of drug addiction is critical if intervention is going to be early enough to make a positive difference in the outcome.
How Addiction Impacts the Brain
For years now, mounting research has confirmed that addiction is a disease of the brain. Although it might be hard for an onlooker to accept that an addict has a disease, akin to cancer or heart disease, addiction scientific research provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides this evidence. NIDA points out that, regardless of which drug is abused, 50% of the risk of addiction is determined by genetics.
When addiction is referred to as a brain disease, it points to the actual alterations that occur in the brain’s neural pathways in response to drugs and alcohol. The neurobiological effects of these changes can lead, over time, to a loss of control or free will over compulsive behaviours. This explains why the individual cannot “just quit,” even with all the negative consequences caused by the addiction.
As addiction science has evolved, experts in the fields of medicine and psychiatry are increasingly able to clarify the underlying pathology of addiction. These professional organizations have weighed in with their own definitions:
American Medical Association : Back in 1956 the AMA published a groundbreaking definition of addiction as a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors contributing to its development.
American Psychiatric Association
: According to the APA, addiction is a chronic disorder that causes alterations in the brain’s reward system, causing cravings and impairment in the ability to regulate the impulse that results in substance use.
American Society of Addiction Medicine : ASAM defines addiction as a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, environment, and life experiences.
Drugs hijack the brain’s reward system. The substance registers a pleasurable response in the brain, such as deep relaxation and euphoria, which is then recorded as a positive experience in the memory. When the effects of the substance wear off, the person will want to re-experience the sensations and will seek out the drug again. Depending on the individual, their genetics, personality, the substance, and their unique biology, addiction can take hold quickly.
As tolerance increases, the brain demands ever-increasing amounts of the substance. It begins to rely on the substance to produce dopamine, and eventually, the brain stops producing its own. This leads to dependence. The withdrawal symptoms are so painful the person is driven to use again to avoid feeling sick. This is the cycle of addiction.
10 Red Flags that a Loved One is Addicted to Drugs
Awareness of the red flags of addiction can help save lives. Being able and willing to recognize that a loved one, or oneself, has a developing problem with a substance can literally make the difference between life and death. The sooner someone addresses an emerging addiction issue, the better the recovery outcome.
Here are 10 warning signs of drug addiction
- Increasing tolerance to the substance, leading to higher consumption
- Neglecting responsibilities and obligations
- Change in appearance, weight gain or loss, dilated pupils, bloating, hand tremors
- Doctor shopping
- Withdrawing from friends and family, avoiding social events
- Prioritizing drug or alcohol use, intense focus on obtaining the substance, having enough on hand, hiding the substance, using or drinking alone
- Declining work or academic performance
- Continue to use drugs or alcohol despite mounting negative consequences
- Financial and legal problems caused by the SUD
- Withdrawal symptoms emerge when the substance is not available
Overcoming the Barriers to Treatment
Even when you know you or your loved one has a drug problem, there may be resistance ahead. Quitting the substance is a difficult step to take. Going into rehab for treatment can be an intimidating prospect, and very hard for some to embrace. Common barriers to treatment include:
Facing detox
The thought of going through detox and withdrawal can be scary. To move through this fear it helps to focus on the bigger picture, knowing that in a week or two you will be done with detox and engaging in rehabilitation. It also helps to remind your loved one that the detox team will be providing medications and emotional support to help minimize discomfort.
Finding time
Carving time out of your life to go to rehab is a major challenge. There are job constraints and childcare issues that make this a difficult barrier to cross. An outpatient program may be the best option in this case, as these programs allow more flexibility.
Stigma
Unfortunately, the social stigma that exists around substance abuse is real. However, when it comes to your health and your future, you cannot allow what other people think to keep you in your disease. Also, by law, employers cannot discriminate against you or your loved one, and they must remain discreet about the reason for a leave of absence.
Paying for treatment
The cost of treatment is a concern for many. Always check first with your insurance plan to see what it will cover. Most rehabs also offer payment plans that can spread out the costs over many months.
Now that you know more about what exactly addiction is, and what signs to watch out for, do not hesitate to approach a loved one who is in need of help. You might just save a life.
About the Author
Jonathan Beazley, Owner of Bodhi Addiction Treatment and Wellness , in spite of a supportive family and a happy childhood, started at age 15 to walk down the unhealthy path of addiction and to turn his life upside down. He carved out a new path for himself in sobriety and later began his career in the field of rehabilitation. He has since helped and advised well over 30,000 individuals and families in finding their right path. Jonathan is a Registered Addiction Specialist Level 2 and a Certified Addiction Specialist. His vision is to help heal addicts through health and wellness. He carries out his life’s purpose in beautiful Capitola, CA.
Addiction Treatment - Bodhi Addiction Treatment and Wellness, based in Santa Cruz, Capitola, United States.
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Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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