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Recognizing The Signs of Substance Abuse and Addiction

Man sits on steps contemplating the signs of drug abuse

At NuLife Behavioral Health in Worcester, MA, we understand that substance use disorders can turn a person’s life upside down. Recognizing the physical, behavioral, and psychological signs and symptoms of substance abuse and addiction is an essential first step in getting the right help for yourself or a loved one.

Understanding Substance Abuse and Addiction

Addiction is a chronic condition in which a person becomes physically and psychologically dependent on a substance. All addictive substances make changes to a person’s brain that hijack the brain’s reward system. These lasting changes lead to compulsive consumption of that addictive substance. An addicted person will keep using despite increasingly severe negative consequences.

The Dopamine-Reward Effect on Addiction

When any addictive substance enters a person’s nervous system, the chemical dopamine floods the brain. Dopamine controls all feelings of pleasure, happiness, and contentment. When substances are abused, the surge of dopamine triggers euphoria that people try to recapture through more drug use.

Role of Co-Occurring Disorders

People often abuse drugs and alcohol to manage the symptoms of other disorders. Relying on addictive substances for any reason is risky. Also, the presence of mood disorders like depression or anxiety increases susceptibility to addiction.

Identifying Physical Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse

The physical manifestations of drug addiction can be revealing. They often vary, depending on the type of substance being abused.

Visible Physical Signs Associated with Stimulants

Addictive stimulants like amphetamines and cocaine change a user’s appearance. Dilated pupils and alternating periods of excessive energy followed by extreme fatigue are common signs and symptoms of stimulant abuse. Weight loss is another easy-to-spot symptom of stimulant abuse. Weight loss from stimulant abuse may become severe.

In severe cases, stimulant abusers pick at their skin, causing sores. Skin picking results from a common drug-induced hallucination that feels like bugs are crawling under the skin. Prolonged use of stimulants can lead to dental issues referred to as “meth mouth.”  Inhaling drugs like cocaine can lead to frequent nosebleeds and a chronic runny nose.

Recognizing Symptoms Related to Depressant Use

Depressants include alcohol, anti-anxiety medications, and opioid prescription painkillers like fentanyl, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine. Heroin, an illegal drug, is also an opioid.

All depressants slow down brain activity. Frequent drowsiness, excessive sleep, poor coordination, and increased clumsiness indicate depressant abuse. The risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight gain can also increase after long-term depressant abuse. Depressant abuse can result in coma or death by overdose.

Alcoholics frequently have slurred speech and flushed faces. People abusing anti-anxiety medications might also have slurred speech and impaired coordination.

Withdrawal from depressants causes high blood pressure, tremors, stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, and extreme anxiety. Withdrawal from depressants can also lead to hallucinations and seizures.

No one should abruptly stop using depressants except under a doctor’s supervision. Going “cold turkey” on any depressant drug can be very dangerous.

NuLife Behavioral Health provides outpatient treatments addressing both mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, alongside addiction, helping individuals reclaim control over life again.

woman with arms crossed considers the dangers of fentanyl

Behavioral Signs Indicating Substance Abuse

Substance abuse often appears in a range of behavior changes. These changes might include heightened secrecy, unpredictable behavior, or even unlawful activities such as stealing prescription medication.

An early sign of substance misuse is increased secrecy about one’s personal life and habits. People with substance addiction may isolate themselves from family and friends. They frequently make excuses to avoid social situations. They often become unusually private about their daily routines.

This shift to secrecy comes from a desire to continue drug use without judgment. Recognizing these signs is crucial. NuLife Behavioral Health guides addressing this sensitive issue effectively.

Pilfering Medication – A Sign of Addiction?

Sometimes, people battling addiction steal medications from others. Prescription drugs like opioids are addictive and cause severe withdrawal symptoms when a person stops taking them.

If you have prescription medications in your home, and pills go missing, or empty pill bottles are found hidden away, someone living there may have been abusing them. Seeking early treatment reduces the potential health problems associated with substance abuse.

Indirect Signs of Addiction

Indirect signs of substance abuse and addiction, such as neglecting one’s personal and professional responsibilities, financial problems from excessive spending on addictive substances, and so forth, become noticeable.

Key Takeaway:

Spotting addiction involves recognizing changes like heightened secrecy, erratic behavior, and prescription medication theft.

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Mood Fluctuations as a Sign of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse can often trigger significant mood swings that extend beyond the normal emotional ebbs and flows experienced by everyone. This could manifest in sudden outbursts of anger, unexplained periods of sadness, or extreme euphoria.

Mood Swings Linked to Underlying Disorders

The interaction between mental health difficulties and substance abuse is complex. All addictive substances cause significant changes in a person’s mood, energy levels, and perceptions. Often, people with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression will use addictive substances to improve their mood or reduce their pain.

For instance, an individual suffering from depressive episodes might resort to drugs or alcohol for temporary respite from their emotional distress.

This self-medication strategy leads into a cycle in which a self-medicating person becomes reliant on substances over time while their original condition remains untreated. Professionals refer to this phenomenon as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis, necessitating comprehensive treatment addressing both aspects simultaneously for effective recovery.

Conversely, drug use can lead to new psychiatric issues in those without a history of mental disorders. All addictive drugs and alcohol produce persistent impairments in brain function, which then may lead to the emergence of psychiatric disorders.

Mood Fluctuations as a Sign of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse can trigger mood swings that extend beyond regular ups and downs. Sudden outbursts of anger, unexplained periods of sadness, or extreme euphoria can all be part of these mood swings.

Mood Swings Linked to Underlying Disorders

The interaction between mental health difficulties and substance abuse is complex. All addictive substances cause significant changes in a person’s mood, energy levels, and perceptions. Often, people with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression will use addictive substances to improve their mood or reduce their pain.

For instance, a person suffering from depressive episodes might resort to drugs or alcohol for temporary relief from their emotional pain.

This self-medication strategy leads to a cycle in which a self-medicating person becomes addicted to substances while their original condition remains untreated. Mental health professionals refer to this phenomenon as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses. Dual diagnosis requires specialized treatment for both disorders simultaneously.

Drug use can lead to new psychiatric issues in those without a history of mental disorders. All addictive drugs and alcohol produce persistent impairments in brain function, which then may lead to psychiatric disorders.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Options for Recovery

A dual diagnosis approach involves simultaneous treatment for substance use disorders and any mental health conditions. By treating all aspects of an individual’s situation at the same time, a relapse is made much less likely.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Program at NuLife Behavioral Health Worcester

Treatment from NuLife Behavioral Health in Worcester and Framingham tackles both addiction and psychological issues at once. This approach boosts a person’s chances of long-term recovery.

Secondly, these programs are tailored to each patient’s unique needs, considering their specific addictive behaviors and diagnosed mood or anxiety disorders. Statistics from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration reveal that patients receiving targeted therapies have lower rates of relapse.

client and therapist discuss the 12 steps of recovery

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Embarking on Outpatient Treatment Programs at NuLife Behavioral Health

At NuLife Behavioral Health Massachusetts, we offer outpatient treatment programs tailored to individuals struggling with mental health disorders, addiction issues, or both.

The initial step in treatment involves an assessment to understand your current situation, medical history, severity of symptoms, and other crucial factors. This information is vital in crafting a personalized recovery plan tailored to your unique challenges.

Available Outpatient Treatments at NuLife Worcester

We offer outpatient programs, including an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP). The IOP typically requires patients to attend sessions three days per week for about two hours daily, whereas PHP provides more intensive care, where patients spend several hours at our facility five days per week.

We also offer individual therapy sessions, which can be scheduled at the patient’s convenience. These one-on-one sessions allow us to work on issues that lead to addictive behaviors or mental health disorders.

A cornerstone of our approach incorporates various therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and mindfulness-based therapies.

All our outpatient services provide ongoing support while enabling individuals to continue their daily routines without disruption, thus ensuring they have access to the necessary resources to maintain sobriety during recovery. Remember, it’s never too late to seek help – reach out today and start your journey to a healthier life with NuLife Behavioral Health.

Key Takeaway:

Embarking on recovery with NuLife Behavioral Health’s Worcester, Massachusetts, outpatient programs means you’ll receive personalized treatment plans, flexible scheduling, and a wide range of therapeutic options.

FAQs About Signs of Addiction

Addiction manifests as the compulsive use of a substance even in the face of negative consequences, physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, increased tolerance to the substance, and neglecting responsibilities, hobbies, or relationships.

What is addiction, and identify the signs of addiction?

Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive drug use despite negative consequences. Signs include behavioral changes, mood swings, secretive behavior around substance use, and visible physical signs like track marks.

What are five warning signs of addiction?

The top five warning signs are uncontrolled cravings for substances, neglecting personal responsibilities, deteriorating relationships due to substance abuse, developing tolerance requiring more doses for effect, and experiencing withdrawal when trying to quit.

What are the 5 elements of addiction?

The four key elements include cravings for addictive substances, loss of control over its use leading to compulsive behaviors, persistent attempts to get more of the substance, a negative emotional state when not using it, and denial about the severity of one’s substance addiction.

Person considering the signs of cocaine addiction

Conclusion

Understanding substance abuse and addiction is a crucial first step. Dopamine plays a significant role in forming addictions, often intensified by co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Physical signs of drug abuse can vary greatly, from visible track marks to subtle changes like skin picking or bloodshot eyes.

Behavioral shifts, including secrecy around drug use or stealing medication, are critical indicators of substance abuse that shouldn’t be overlooked.

References

  1. https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/prescription-opioids#
  2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29098666/
  4. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHDetailedTabs2017/NSDUHDetailedTabs2017.htm#tab8-41A