How to Recognize Signs of Drug Use

Recognizing signs of drug use can sometimes be very difficult. Many people don’t know what to look for when a loved one is struggling with a potential addiction, which is why this potentially fatal illness often goes untreated.

Depending on the substance a person is using, the signs can be subtle, so you’ll need to look for specific signs. Whether the person is a teenager or an adult, it’s important to catch these signs as quickly as possible so the individual can get help. Addiction is a progressive diseases, so individuals have the best chances of overcoming their issues with substance use if the problems are caught early.

Isolation is One of the Common Signs of Drug Use

Substance abuse often causes people to withdraw from friends and family. Even at social gatherings, they may be very aloof. This happens for a multitude of reasons. Many substances like opiates and benzodiazepines are depressants that slow down the nervous system. The long-term effects of substance use can also cause symptoms of depression. People’s substance use may be making them feel down and depressed, and their mind may be having a lot of negative self-talk.

There are others who become very isolated because they don’t like to have their high ruined by others. When people get high by themselves, they often like to sit and enjoy the experience of the high for as long as possible. Those who are beginning to show the signs of addiction have an obsession to get high, and their mind tells them to enjoy it as much as possible, which can be why they’re often alone.

Borrowing Money

Substance abuse can be expensive, so the signs of drug use may be apparent when people are constantly borrowing money. Even if they are working, these individuals may still borrow money because they’re spending their money on drugs instead of other responsibilities.

Depending on people’s substance of choice, they may be spending hundreds of dollars a day to support their habit. For example, prescription drug addiction can be very expensive if individuals aren’t receiving their prescriptions from a doctor. Some pills can cost anywhere from $40 to $80 per pill, and people often need multiple pills to feel well throughout the day.

If your loved one is showing symptoms of substance use, it’s not too late to help them. When people are early in their addiction, it’s the best time for them to receive the treatment that they need. Pinnacle Peak Recovery has multiple levels of care to tend to people with different severities of addiction. Call us today at 866-377-4761 to verify your insurance or find out more information.

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