Bayonne Drug Abuse Signs and Symptoms
Drug abuse is a serious issue that should never be ignored or minimized. If you are worried about your own or a friend or family member's potential drug abuse, it is imperative to confront the issue immediately. There are some people who are able to use drugs recreationally without experiencing negative consequences, but this is not the case for most. It is important to understand drug abuse in order to recognize the signs early on and find the proper treatment and recovery center if necessary.
It is the objective of Bayonne Drug Rehab to give you the recovery tools necessary to overcome drug addiction. If left untreated, drug abuse can turn into drug dependence, and the path to recovery becomes more difficult. Substance abuse and drug addiction is a disease, but a preventable one. Understanding the nature of the disease, how it affects the brain, and common symptoms of drug use will give you a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it.
Understanding Drug Use
Drug users most often do not begin abusing substances with the intention of becoming addicted. People experiment with drugs for many reasons. Some of these include:
- Peer pressure
- Curiosity
- To have a good time
- As an effort to improve athletic performance
- To relieve stress, anxiety, or depression.
The effects of certain substances vary, and there is no specific level at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. Due to these unpredictable factors, most users are not aware of the effects of their long term drug abuse. Many are unable to recognize that their recreational drug use has turned into a dangerous addiction. Very few addicts are able to realize that they've crossed this line without drug intervention.
How Addiction Can Develop
Drug addiction is a serious disease characterized by compulsive drug use. Although each drug produces different symptoms, they all have something in common. Repeated drug use can alter the way the brain looks and functions. Taking recreational drugs causes surges in levels of dopamine in the brain, triggering feelings of pleasure. With time, the brain begins to crave more of this feeling, and the individual increases the dosage, thus building a tolerance for it. This affects an addict's ability to think clearly and rationally. The urge is so strong that someone who abuses drugs will deny they have a problem. Overcoming this disease is not simply a matter of willpower as many believe. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that make the compulsion too intense to resist without professional assistance. Treatment medication and alternative therapy offered by an accredited treatment facility is the only option for those who have let their substance abuse go too far.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse
Some symptoms of drug abuse may include:
- Neglecting your responsibilities
- Taking risks while under the influence
- Getting into legal trouble
- Allowing drug use to cause problems in your relationships
- Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction are:
- Building up a drug tolerance
- Taking drugs to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Letting your life revolve around a compulsion to do drugs
- Abandoning activities you once enjoyed.
- Most addicts continue using drugs even though they know they are harmful. In addition to these psychological and behavioral symptoms, some physical warnings to keep in mind are:
- Bloodshot eyes
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Deterioration of physical appearance
- Unusual body odor
- Impaired coordination
These warning signs should never be ignored, and if confronted early, you could save your life or the life of someone else.
If you believe your loved one is showing signs of drug abuse, call Bayonne Drug Rehab at (877) 804-1531 to learn more about treatment and recovery options.