Physical Signs of Drug Use
Physical signs of drug use can be an indication of drug dependency. Whether it's the use of illegal drugs or the non-prescribed use of prescription drugs, physical signs of drug use can be indications of problems down the road. Physical signs of drug use can be indicative of a dependency that can lead to loss of employment and the breakup of close relationships. Because physical signs of drug use can also be signs of addiction, they are important to understand and recognize.
Other People Are Reading
-
The Facts
-
The physical signs of drug use can depend on the type of drug being used. Stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamines will increase heart rates and blood pressure. Opiates and barbiturates will lower blood pressure and decrease respiration rates. Methamphetamine use will also cause severe dental problems. Other signs of drug usage include change of clothing styles to hide needle injection sites. Slow reaction time is an indication of drug use, as is confusion and disorientation. Sinusitis and nosebleeds can be indications of snorted drugs. Sudden weight loss or gain can be indications of drug use.
Significance
-
The significance of noticing the physical signs of drug use is that this recognition can lead to intercession and the opportunity to help the person who is using the drugs. Family members can recognize the physical signs of drug use and use family pressure to help the drug user to seek assistance. If the physical signs of drug use are spotted early, the many problems of drug addiction can be avoided.
-
Time Frame
-
The physical signs of drug use can be noticed before a person is addicted to drugs. Often, though, a person will be lucid enough to effectively hide the physical signs, and it's only until after the slide into drug dependency that the person becomes removed from reality sufficiently to be unable to hide the physical signs. Whenever the physical signs of drug use are noticed, it's important to seek help immediately, because drug use can lead to dependency and addiction, which can ruin the person's life, as well as the lives of those around him.
Considerations
-
The physical signs of drug use are not always indicative of someone who is using drugs. For example, teenagers often go through phases in which they change the style of clothes they wear. Hormonal imbalances can also lead to emotional outbursts and changes in sleep patterns. If some of the physical signs of drug use are noticed, the best course is to increase the level of alertness and be on the watch for additional signs of drug use. Once on the alert, family members can usually recognize the signs of drug abuse.
Misconceptions
-
People who are confronted with the physical signs of drug use might admit to having used drugs, but drug users will rarely admit that there is a problem, even if the drug use has become an addiction. For most treatment programs, the first step is admitting that a problem exists. It's important to understand that a drug user will usually downplay the use of drugs and its effects. Often it's not until the drug is out of her system that they realize how the drugs have taken over her life.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit morguefile
