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Drug Addiction Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

If you or someone you love has any of these signs, they may have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

Please call us toll-free to speak with a certified addiction treatment specialist today.

1-800-513-5423


Signs of Drug Addiction

Take this free “Am I an Addict?” Quiz for more help in determining whether or not someone is addicted.

  • Increase or decrease in appetite; changes in eating habits, unexplained weight loss or gain.
  • A smell of substance on breath, body, or clothes.
  • Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
  • Needle marks or bruises on the lower arm, legs, or bottom of feet.
  • Change in overall attitude/personality with no other identifiable cause.
  • Changes in friends: new hang-outs, avoidance of old crowd, new friends are drug users.
  • Change in activities; loss of interest in things that were important before.
  • Drop-in school or work performance; skips or is late to school or work.
  • Changes in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities.
  • Difficulty in paying attention; forgetfulness.
  • Lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, and discipline. Bored, “I don’t care” attitude.
  • Defensiveness, temper tantrums, resentful behavior (everything’s a hassle)
  • Unexplained moodiness, irritability, or nervousness.
  • Violent temper or bizarre behavior.
  • Unexplained silliness or giddiness.
  • Paranoia — overly suspicious.
  • Excessive need for privacy; keeps the door locked or closed, won’t let people in.
  • Secretive or suspicious behavior.
  • Car accidents, fender benders, household accidents.
  • Chronic dishonesty; trouble with the police.
  • Unexplained need for money; can’t explain where their money goes; stealing.
  • An unusual effort to cover arms and legs.
  • Change in personal grooming habits. 
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Signs of Alcohol Use Disorder

Take this free “Am I an Alcoholic?” Quiz to help determine whether or not you are addicted to alcohol.

Alcoholism can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on the amount of symptoms you are experiencing.
Signs and symptoms can include:
  • Wanting to stop or cut back on the amount you drink and not being able to
  • Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from alcohol use (hangover)
  • Feeling a strong urge to get drunk or craving to drink alcohol
  • Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink at a time
  • Blacking out
  • Developing a tolerance to alcohol, drinking more to feel drunk or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
  • Failing to fulfill major obligations with friends or family, at work, school, or home due to repeated alcohol use
  • Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical, social, work, or relationship problems
  • Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies to use alcohol
  • Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating, and shaking — when you don’t drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms


Call our addiction specialists and treatment counselors for help learning Drug Addiction Signs and symptoms of drug abuse.Sources

NIH Signs of Drug Addiction
Drug Use and Addiction
Substance Use Disorder Overview
Warning Signs
Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
Erik Epp – Content Author

Summary
Drug Addiction Signs and Symptoms
Service Type
Drug Addiction Signs and Symptoms
Area
Nationwide help in recovering from addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Description
Learn the signs of addiction and the symptoms of alcohol abuse or drug use.