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In the very early stages of drug addiction it is sometimes very hard to tell by looking at a person that he or she is hooked on drugs. Some people are good at hiding their addictions and, unfortunately, drug addiction affects people of all genders, ages, nationalities and social classes. Depending on how long you have known a person, and how well you know that person, he or she might seem more normal to you when under the influence of drugs than when the individual is not taking drugs.
There are early warning signs that will help you recognize signs of drug addiction and, over time, physical appearances and personalities change so dramatically that it is evident something is seriously wrong.
Warning Signs of Chemical Dependency
An individual might be headed toward chemical dependency if he or she:
• develops a tolerance to drugs and alcohol. Each time the person drinks or takes drugs, it takes more to get high or drunk.
• loses control over alcohol or drug use and uses them excessively
• thinks or talks about drugs and alcohol the first thing in the morning and uses them to calm nerves
• keeps drugs and alcohol hidden and handy for easy access for when they are “needed”
• uses drugs and alcohol more often over time
Parents, teachers and friends need to be aware of early warning signs of drug use and addiction and should worry if a person:
• lies about the frequency or extent of substance abuse
• lies about the source of money used to purchase chemical substances or about the need for large amounts of money and is willing to steal to get it
• stops participating in school activities that the child used to enjoy
• shows a decrease in school or job performance and has excessive unexplained absences
• stops hanging out with friends who don’t use drugs
• has a drastic change in attitude, personality and interests
• becomes apathetic or displays expressions of severe paranoia
Some physical signs of drug abuse or addiction include:
• red, runny eyes or nose
• slurred speech
• glassy or red eyes, dilated or constricted pupils
• excessive or abnormal laughter
• excessive sweating
• severe or sudden weight loss
Over time, drug addiction takes a more serious toll on the inside, and the outside of a person’s body. Good looks are destroyed by failing body function and internal systems that fight to keep the person alive. Different drugs cause different physical reactions and some work faster than others to decay the outer appearance. A drug addict might:
• feature a pale face
• have signs of premature aging
• have sunken eyes
• loose hair
• have rotten or missing teeth
• loose a lot of weight in a short period of time
• have opened sores that won’t heal
• scratch and itch excessively
• appear to have a hard time sitting still or concentrating
Personalities change as much or more than the body when a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol. People who are addicted to drugs and alcohol:
• become anxious
• seem suspicious
• are irritable
• hallucinate
• suffer from psychotic episodes
• have dramatic mood swings
• suffer short-term and eventually long-term memory loss
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