The Signs That Someone May Be Addicted to Drugs

If you suspect someone you know may have an addiction to drugs, there are signs that you can look out for. Although these signs and behaviours are signs that someone may have a problem with drug abuse, exhibiting one or more of them doesn’t necessarily mean someone is a drug addict.

Changes in eating habits or appetite and unusual change in weight.
The odour of a substance about someone’s person or clothes.
Unusual hyperactivity and alertness and uncharacteristic talkativeness.
Unexplained needle marks and/or bruises.
Change in attitude or personality for no apparent reason.
Unexplained tiredness and lethargy.
Hanging out with new friends and at new places, avoiding old friends.
Loss of interest in activities and pastimes that were previously important.
Problems at school or work such as lack of productivity and poor attendance.
Withdrawal from family life and group activities.
Lack of attentiveness and absent-mindedness.
Decreased motivation and self-esteem.
Defensiveness when questioned and severe mood swings.
Possible violent temper or aggressive behaviour.
Extreme highs and lows in moods.
Expressing paranoid thoughts and ideas.
Sudden issues with privacy, such as locking doors and refusing entry to others.
Secretive behaviour.
Sudden dishonesty and possible stealing.
Change in personal hygiene habits such as bathing less frequently.

What to do if you suspect someone is addicted to drugs

If you suspect someone close to you is addicted to drugs, try to talk to them about it. Often when someone is addicted to drugs they lose sight of how erratic or damaging their behaviour has become. It can take someone close to them to make them realise the effect their drug use could be having.

Don’t be accusatory; be open-minded and approachable. Be open about your feelings and concerns and encourage the other person to open up to you. Do some research on the help that is available, for example from your GP, local drug dependency services and rehab centres.

Drug addiction treatment

There is help available for people who are addicted to drugs. This comes in the form of:

A rehabilitation centre
Residential rehab clinic
Day patient treatment centres
Counselling
Detox programmes
Medication
Group therapy
Complementary therapies