Drug Abuse and Addiction
Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse
Are you struggling with a drug problem that has spiraled
out of control? If so, you may feel isolated, helpless, or ashamed. Or perhaps
you’re worried about a friend or family member’s drug use. In either case, you
are not alone. Addiction is a problem that many people face.
The good news is that you or your loved one can get better. There is hope—no
matter how bad the substance abuse problem and no matter how powerless you feel.
Learning about the nature of addiction—how it develops, what it looks like, and
why it has such a powerful hold—will give you a better understanding of the
problem and how to deal with it.
Addiction is a complex disorder characterised by compulsive drug use. People who
are addicted feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol,
even in the face of negative consequences. This self-destructive behavior can be
hard to understand. Why continue doing something that’s hurting you? Why is it
so hard to stop?
The answer lies in the brain. Repeated drug use alters the brain—causing
long-lasting changes to the way it looks and functions. These brain changes
interfere with your ability to think clearly, exercise good judgment, control
your behavior, and feel normal without drugs. These changes are also
responsible, in large part, for the drug cravings and compulsion to use that
make addiction so powerful.
How addiction develops.
The path to drug addiction starts with experimentation. You or your loved one
may have tried drugs out of curiosity, because friends were doing it, or in an
effort to erase another problem. At first, the substance seems to solve the
problem or make life better, so you use the drug more and more.
However, as the addiction progresses, getting and using the drug becomes more
and more important and your ability to stop using is compromised. What begins as
a voluntary choice turns into a physical and psychological need. The good news
is that drug addiction is treatable. With treatment and support, you can
counteract the disruptive effects of addiction and regain control of your life.
5 Myths about Drug Addiction and Substance Abuse
MYTH 1: Overcoming addiction is a simply a matter of willpower. You can stop
using drugs if you really want to. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain
in ways that result in powerful cravings and a compulsion to use. These brain
changes make it extremely difficult to quit by sheer force of will.
MYTH 2: Addiction is a disease; there’s nothing you can do about it. Most
experts agree that addiction is a brain disease, but that doesn’t mean you’re a
helpless victim. The brain changes associated with addiction can be treated and
reversed through therapy, medication, exercise, and other treatments.
MYTH 3: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before they can get better. Recovery can
begin at any point in the addiction process—and the earlier, the better. The
longer drug abuse continues, the stronger the addiction becomes and the harder
it is to treat. Don’t wait to intervene until the addict has lost it all.
MYTH 4: You can’t force someone into treatment; they have to want help.
Treatment doesn’t have to be voluntary to be successful. People who are
pressured into treatment by their family, employer, or the legal system are just
as likely to benefit as those who choose to enter treatment on their own. As
they sober up and their thinking clears, many formerly resistant addicts decide
they want to change.
MYTH 5: Treatment didn’t work before, so there’s no point trying again; some
cases are hopeless. Recovery from drug addiction is a long process that often
involves setbacks. Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that you’re
a lost cause. Rather, it’s a signal to get back on track, either by going back
to treatment or adjusting the treatment approach.
The far-reaching effects of drug abuse and drug addiction
While each drug of abuse produces different physical effects, all abused
substances share one thing in common. They hijack the brain’s normal “reward”
pathways and alter the areas of the brain responsible for self-control,
judgment, emotional regulation, motivation, memory, and learning.
Whether you’re addicted to nicotine, alcohol, heroin, Xanax, speed, or Vicodin,
the effect on the brain is the same: an uncontrollable craving to use that is
more important than anything else, including family, friends, career, and even
your own health and happiness.
Using drugs as an escape: A short-term fix with long-term consequences
Many people use drugs in order to escape physical and emotional discomfort. Maybe you started drinking to numb feelings of depression, smoking pot to deal with stress at home or school, relying on cocaine to boost your energy and confidence, using sleeping pills to cope with panic attacks, or taking prescription painkillers to relieve chronic back pain.
But while drugs might make you feel better in the short-term, attempts to self-medicate ultimately backfire. Instead of treating the underlying problem, drug use simply masks the symptoms. Take the drug away and the problem is still there, whether it be low self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, or an unhappy family life. Furthermore, prolonged drug use eventually brings its own host of problems, including major disruptions to normal, daily functioning. Unfortunately, the psychological, physical, and social consequences of drug abuse and addiction become worse than the original problem you were trying to cope with or avoid.
Why do some drug users become addicted, while others don’t?
As with many other conditions and diseases, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to person. Your genes, age when you started taking drugs, and family and social environment all play a role in addiction. Risk factors that increase your vulnerability include:
Signs and symptoms of drug abuse and drug addiction
Although different drugs have different physical effects, the symptoms of addiction are the same no matter the substance. The more drugs begin to affect and control your life, the more likely it is that you’ve crossed the line from drug use to abuse and drug addiction. Unfortunately, when you’re in the middle of it, you may be in denial about the magnitude of the problem or the negative impact it's had on your life. See if you recognize yourself in the following signs and symptoms of substance abuse and addiction. If so, consider talking to someone about your drug use. You’re on a dangerous road, and the sooner you get help, the better.
Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse
Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction
What drugs are most commonly abused and what are the signs and symptoms?
Almost all drugs have the potential for addiction and abuse, from caffeine to prescription medication. However, the majority of non-alcohol related addictions are due to a short list of drugs including sleeping pills, painkillers, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Warning signs that a friend or family member is abusing drugs
Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. If you’re worried that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs:
Physical warning signs of drug abuse
• Bloodshot eyes or pupils that is larger or smaller than usual.
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
• Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming habits.
• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
• Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.
Behavioral signs of drug abuse
• Drop in attendance and performance at work or school.
• Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get
it.
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
• Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
• Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities).
Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
• Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
• Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts.
• Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness.
• Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out.”
• Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason.
Warning Signs of Teen Drug Use
There are many warning signs of drug use and abuse in teenagers. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal, sometimes volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse.
• Being secretive about friends, possessions, and activities.
• New interest in clothing, music, and other items that highlight drug use.
• Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye contact; sneaking around.
• Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble at school.
• Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions.
• Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, or depressed.
• Using incense, perfume, or air freshener to hide the smell of smoke or drugs.
• Using eye drops to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.
Drug addiction and denial
One of the most dangerous effects of drug abuse and addiction is denial. The
urge to use is so strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize the
addiction. You may drastically underestimate the quantity of drugs you’re
taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of control you have over
your drug use.
Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism. Minimizing and rationalizing the
addiction is less scary than admitting that your drug use is dangerously out of
control. But the cost of denial can be extremely high—including the loss of
important relationships, your job, financial security, and your physical and
mental health.
Do you have a substance abuse problem?
• Do you feel like you can’t stop, even if you wanted to?
• Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
• Do you need to use drugs to relax or feel better?
• Do your friends or family members complain or worry about your drug use?
• Do you hide or lie about your drug use?
• Have you ever done anything illegal in order to obtain drugs?
• Do you spend money on drugs that you really can’t afford?
• Do you ever use more than one recreational drug at a time?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of the questions, you may have a drug problem.
Finding help and support for drug addiction
If you’re ready to admit you have a drug problem, congratulations! Recognizing
that you have a problem is the first step on the road to recovery, one that
takes tremendous courage and strength.
Facing your addiction without minimizing the problem or making excuses can feel
frightening and overwhelming, but recovery is within reach. If you’re ready to
make a change and willing to seek help, you can overcome your addiction and
build a satisfying, drug-free life for yourself.
Support is essential to addiction recovery
Don’t try to go it alone; it’s all too easy to get discouraged and rationalize
“just one more” hit or pill. Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on
self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach,
support is essential. Recovering from drug addiction is much easier when you
have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance.
Support can come from:
• family members
• close friends
• therapists or counsellors
• other recovering addicts
• healthcare providers
• people from your faith community
Recovering from drug addiction
Addiction is a complex problem that affects every aspect of your life. Overcoming it requires making major changes to the way you live, deal with problems, and relate to others. It’s not just a matter of willpower or simply wanting to quit. Getting off drugs for good is difficult without treatment and ongoing support. The good news is that there are many tools that can help you on your journey to sobriety.
When a loved one has a drug problem
If you suspect that a friend or family member has a drug problem, here are a few
things you can do:
• Speak up. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your help and
support. The earlier addiction is treated, the better. Don’t wait for your loved
one to hit bottom! Be prepared for excuses and denial with specific examples of
behavior that has you worried.
• Take care of yourself. Don’t get so caught up in someone else’s drug problem
that you neglect your own needs. Make sure you have people you can talk to and
lean on for support. And stay safe. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations.
• Avoid self-blame. You can support a person with a substance abuse problem and
encourage treatment, but you can’t force an addict to change. You can’t control
your loved one’s decisions. Let the person accept responsibility for his or her
actions, an essential step along the way to recovery for drug addiction.
What Not To Do
• Don't attempt to punish, threaten, bribe, or preach.
• Don't try to be a martyr. Avoid emotional appeals that may only increase
feelings of guilt and the compulsion to use drugs.
• Don't cover up or make excuses for the drug abuser, or shield them from the
negative consequences of their behaviour.
• Don't take over their responsibilities, leaving them with no sense of
importance or dignity.
• Don't hide or throw out drugs.
• Don't argue with the person when they are high.
• Don't take drugs with the drug abuser.
• Above all, try not to feel guilty or responsible for another's behaviour.
When your teen has a drug problem
Discovering your child uses drugs can generate fear, confusion, and anger in parents. It’s important to remain calm when confronting your teen, and only do so when everyone is sober. Explain your concerns and make it clear that your concern comes from a place of love. It’s important that your teen feels you are supportive.
Five steps parents can take:
6 Bernard Street, Martindale
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Postal address:
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08611 REHAB (73422)
(011) 673–0400
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E-mail: sanca@sanca-jhb.org.za