Drug Rehab: Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

A person is said to have a drug addiction problem when he or she has this compulsive urge to use the drugs. Moreover this urge is so great that the person is not bothered about the physical consequence of the drug or the psychological and emotional effects. But other problems in the person’s life could complicate the matter and effectively disguise or hide the symptoms. Therefore one should be able to differentiate them.  There are a number of signs and symptoms you could be looking out for to determine whether someone in your family or someone dear to you has a drug addiction problem.

The foremost symptom of drug addiction is the firm belief of the user on his or her inability to actually function without taking the drug. The person simply succumbs to this urge to take the drug. The user takes the drug regularly and tends to take the drugs more than what is necessary in due course of time. The dosage tends to increase.

A typical characteristic of an addict is when their whole life begins to revolve around getting the next ‘fix’. They typically lose interests in other things that they used to be interested before. They tend to disregard and ignore their work, hobbies, family and friends. Their life centers on getting their next dose of their chosen drug. Nothing else seem important to them.

Another characteristic feature of addiction is the mood swings experienced by the user. They are either very high or really so miserably low. Often the behavior of the user defies logic and comprehension. They tend to lose their temper. They do things which they would otherwise not be doing in the normal course.

The drug takes a heavy toll on the body of the user in course of time. They show up soon enough. They tend to become emaciated losing weight. They become pale. Their eyes lose color becoming dull. They lose interest in taking care of their body such as taking regular bath or combing hair. They may often be having sores on their body which too they ignore. They tend to be lethargic looking lost as though sapped of all energy and interest.

With the continued and regular use of the drug, the body gets used to the drug in the system. Soon the body accepts the drug and the acceptance level builds up. This makes the person to keep on increasing the dosage of the drug to get the same effect.

The drug addiction makes the user to distance themselves from others. They prefer to be alone or keep aloof. They avoid gatherings of any sort. The alienation that they experience makes them emotionally remote. All these are to make taking a fix all the more easier without the guarded restraint from others. As a result, they tend to lose the care that they had earlier enjoyed.

Drug addiction leads to the onset of depression. The withdrawal from activities, a pessimistic attitude and a sense of despair shows up in all spheres of the life of the user. Their performance in work takes a sudden dip. They show a tendency to remain in bed for long periods sleeping.

Addiction to drugs is to be understood as another affliction. If the signs and symptoms of addiction are seen in some one you care about, then you know that it is time to seek treatment. It is time that the cure is sought and assistance organized.