Alcohol & Drug Addiction Symptoms

If someone you know is abusing drugs or alcohol, it may not be immediately apparent. But as the addiction progresses, the addict may crave larger and more frequent amounts of the substance and it becomes more difficult to hide. Because addiction to alcohol or drugs carries a social stigma, the sufferer may deny he has a problem. By observing the warning signs and symptoms, you can determine if the person is suffering from an addiction.

Productivity

Signs that an employee or a coworker is developing an addiction may first surface in small ways, such as coming to work a little late or allowing their physical appearance to suffer. During the early stages of addiction, the person usually consumes the alcohol or drugs after work. As their consumption increases, they may find it harder to wake up and prepare for the workday. When the addiction worsens, the employee may begin sneaking a little alcohol or drugs into their workplace and using them during bathroom breaks or at lunch. As a result, the employee may turn in substandard work or appear drunken or "high" during work hours.

Financial

Unfortunately, alcohol is expensive and alcoholics will often spend their paycheck on booze instead of rent and groceries. If a friend or loved one increasingly asks to borrow money and offers various excuses as to why he or she is short on funds, it may be a sign that the person is purchasing alcohol or drugs.

Physical

Unexplained weight loss may indicate an addiction to drugs. Popular diet drugs increase the user's metabolism and decrease their appetite. Known as "uppers," these drugs are especially addictive as they increase dopamine levels in the brain. Alternately, opiates and barbiturates calm the user down but the addict may forget to eat. A chronic runny nose, sniffling or frequent nosebleeds, may be a symptom of drug snorting or sniffing and a constant cough indicates the addict may be smoking the drug. The addict may experience frequent headaches as his body "comes down" from the substance high.

Social

An addict may begin using drugs or alcohol as a method of relaxing and increasing his ability to socialize with others but as he develops an addition, the substance has the opposite effect. The person may become unruly and aggressive or, alternately, being unable to stop at one or two drinks, he may resort to drinking alone to hide his addiction. Although one instance of consuming too much alcohol does not indicate the person is an addict, if it happens more than once, the behavior should send up a red flag.

Friends

Peer pressure is an important part of decision-making, especially in teens and young adults. If the person suddenly abandons close friends in favor of new ones, it might indicate that the person is abusing substances, especially if one or more of the above symptoms are present.

Solution

The sooner an alcohol or drug addiction is addressed, the better the long-term outlook will be for the addict. If you or a loved one have a substance abuse problem, contact your family physician, a public health professional or one of many local or online support groups. Addiction is a physical disease and an addict needs help in order to overcome his self-destructive behavior. (See Resources)

Resources

• Find an addiction support and recovery program near you.