The First Signs of Drug Addiction

Identify the Earliest Signs of Drug Addiction

Identifying the first signs of drug addiction is not always easy to do, and many friends and family members miss the early warning signs. As a result, drug addiction and drug abuse are often not diagnosed until it is well advanced, and like any other illness, this can make treatment more difficult.

If you can get better at identifying the first signs of drug addiction, you will be in a better position to help the people you care about most, whether those people are your children, your parents, your coworkers, or your friends.

However, if you are the one with a drug abuse problem, learning to identify the early warning signs of addiction could help you get into rehab more quickly. This process will put you on the road to recovery and allow you to take back control of your life before it is too late.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at 877.969.1993 to learn how we can help.

Behavioral Symptoms of Drug Addiction

The chronic use of illegal, and even some legal, drugs can impact the brain in frightening and surprising ways, leading to some behavioral symptoms that should never be overlooked. Some of these early warning signs may be written off as no big deal, but if you notice any of these changes in a friend, loved one – or yourself, you should reach out for help right away.

• Obsessive thoughts and actions
• Engaging in harmful activities
• Loss of control
• Denial

Emotional Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Drug use can also impact emotions, and the brain imbalances resulting from chronic use can have devastating consequences, not only for the addicts themselves but also for their family members and loved ones.

Once again, some of the early warning signs of addiction can be subtle, and some of the symptoms could be written off as the impact of other illnesses, but if you notice any of these things, you should definitely suspect chronic drug use.

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Increase in violent behavior
• Aggression
• Delusions

Physical Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Drugs can substantially impact the brain, but their effect on the body is often even more dangerous. Different drugs will create various physical signs and symptoms, but these early warnings should never be ignored:

• Change in pupil size, including dilated or constricted pupils
• Racing heartbeat
• Bloodshot eyes
• Changes in body odor
• Poor balance or coordination
• Slurred speech
• Poor hygiene or changes in physical appearance
• Weight loss

How to Help Someone With A Drug Addiction

Even if you only suspect that someone you care about has been abusing drugs, it is essential to reach out to them with offers of help. Depending on the individual, you may be met with a wall of denial, and many addicts simply refuse to acknowledge that they have a problem. Even so, it is important to persevere, as getting your friend or family member into treatment could save their life.

If you think someone in your life has been abusing drugs, keep an eye out for the warning signs. Once your suspicions have been confirmed, you can reach out to WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab for help, advice, and guidance.

Educating yourself will be critical to a successful intervention. We can help you every step along the way, from convincing your loved one that treatment is warranted to make arrangements to get them into our state-of-the-art facility.

Need More Information? WhiteSands Can Help

Having a friend or family member addicted to drugs can be frightening and distressing, and being addicted to drugs yourself can be even worse. It is only natural to be scared when dealing with such a serious issue. Still, you do not have to go through it alone, not when you have the experts at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab who are experts at identifying the first signs of drug addiction.

The help you need is waiting on the other side of the phone line, and all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call. The staff at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab consists of caring counselors and drug treatment experts, men and women who will have your back and always put your best interests first. If you need help identifying the first signs of drug addiction, contact us today to learn how our rehab treatment can help.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.