Drug Addiction – Know What To Look For

Addiction generally begins as a social activity before escalating to a point where the user is unable to cope without. Substance abuse can detrimentally affect both the addict and those surrounding them. When substance issues are suspected, friends and family members must watch for signs to determine whether help is required. Symptoms will vary according to the type of substance and use habits. In this entry, we will discuss some common signs to look for.

Prescription Drugs

The signs associated with a prescription drug addiction include odd sleep habits, drunken mannerisms, listlessness, and droopy eyes. Keep a close watch for slurred/incoherent speech patterns or an inability to walk or stand up straight.

Cocaine

Common signs associated with cocaine addiction include glossy eyes, unnaturally large pupils, needle marks, brittle or broken teeth, raw nose, and excessive weight loss. Additional signs may include extended periods without sleep followed by extreme periods of deep sleep, irritability, picking or scratching, aggression, loss in food interests and rambling.

Opiates

Opiate addiction symptoms can include needle marks on the user’s arms, excessive perspiration, pale skin pigmentation, routine scratching, nodding off, and pinpointed pupils.

Meth

Meth users will experience an elevated sense of contentment following use. Increased energy levels and depleted appetite are also common signs. The high associated with meth use typically lasts between 6 and 8 hours. When the high is over, users will generally appear agitated, with the potential for violence and extreme depression.

Need Help?

If you or someone you know is suffering from an addiction, our Above It All addiction specialists are available to help. Give us a call today, let us get you back on track towards the happy, healthy and fulfilling lifestyle you deserve.

Working With Others

“We vigorously commenced this way of living as we cleaned up the past. We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Continue to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear. When these crop up, we ask God at once to remove them. We discuss them with someone immediately and make amends quickly if we have harmed anyone. Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.” - pg. 84 from the chapter entitled “ Into Action” from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

After we have gone through Above It All Treatment Center, AA, or drug addiction detox and have picked up the tools needed in order to live a sober life it is imperative that we “pay it forward” and start helping others. When we start feeling uneasy or our character defects start cropping up then nothing will insure immunity from the first drink like extensive work with a newcomer. Through providing alcohol detox to someone else we are able to get out of ourselves and are able to see things from a different perspective. Through working with others we are able to recall where we came from as well as provide hope to people with less experience , or time sober than us. When we approach life from an altruistic angle we are able to have gratitude for the things that we have as opposed to focusing on the things we don’t. When we take contrary action we are able to start over and change our perception

Forming Sober Bonds

“For you will escape disaster together and you will commence shoulder to shoulder your common journey. Then you will know what it means to give of yourself that others may survive and rediscover life. You will learn the full meaning of “love thy neighbor as thyself.” It may seem incredible that these men are to become happy, respected, and useful once more. How can they rise out of such misery, bad repute and hopelessness? The practical answer is that since these things happened among us, they can happen with you.”- pg. 153 from the chapter entitled “A vision for you” from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous

When we get sober there is a bond that is formed between us and our fellows in recovery. It is a bond that exists because only we know what it is like to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body of that variety. When we were using many of us had become isolated, withdrawn, and miserable. The idea that one day we might be able to get drug or alcohol detoxseemed impossible .The fact is that we all have a chance to recover if we are able to do the work through Above It All, AA, or a drug addiction detox. When we get sober we find there is a huge amount of magic, happiness, and freedom in the life we live and the sober experiences we have. It is an amazing selfless path that we get to travel and when we are ready we get to “pay it forward” for fun and for free so that someone else may see the experience, strength, and hope that exists through this way of living.