With nearly 25 million admitted drug users in American just six years ago, it’s no surprise that number has risen since then. And what’s even more frightening is that these users were as young as age 12. People dabble in illicit drugs for a long list of reasons — from the need to escape reality or pain relief to peer pressure and curiosity. But for most drug users, once isn’t enough. Addicts are constantly searching for that next great high, which is a pointless mission given they’ll never experience a high as “good” as their first. If you’ve tried illegal drugs, you might still be in denial about the hold these narcotics have on you and your life. Keep reading to discover three signs that you’re an addict and need intervention.
Physical Dependency
When your body is accustomed to receiving a certain type of drug in consistent doses, it becomes dependent on it. One of the main appeals of most illicit drugs are the feelings it provides. Triggering your body’s receptors for “feel good” chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, your brain craves more. Eventually, your body stops making natural levels of these chemicals and turns to your drug of choice for happiness. If you can’t achieve happiness without the use of drugs, your body has become physically addicted. These physical dependencies can also lead to psychological issues including anxiety, depression, and paranoia. When you can’t get your hands on the drug, you may also experience withdrawal symptoms. These include (but are not limited to):
- Fever/chills
- Sweating
- Increased heart rate
- Vomiting/nausea
- Headaches
- Paranoia
These are common physical withdrawal symptoms many addicts experience while in a drug rehab center.
Tolerance
Many drug users admit that no high was like their first high. The problem is, they continue chasing that feeling. Like with any narcotic (illegal or not) over time, your body becomes tolerant to the substance. Meaning, it takes more of the drug to have the same effects. If you constantly take acetaminophen for headaches or aches and pains, in time, the recommended dose isn’t enough. You’re now taking three or four capsules a day, versus the recommended two. The same holds true for illegal drugs. Increasing the dose isn’t just a sign of addiction, but it also increases your risk of a fatal overdose.
Financial Trouble
Drug addicts will do just about anything to get their next high. And they don’t care who or what they sacrifice in the process. Drug addiction leads to a long list of physical and mental problems, but it also takes a toll on your personal and financial life. Are you using your rent money for drugs? Did you forgo buying groceries to buy another hit, instead? Or, even worse, are you stealing to support your habit? If all of your money is going to drugs instead of life’s necessities, it’s a sure sign that you have a problem. Another aspect of your life that takes a hit when it comes to drug abuse is your personal relationships. Are you lying to your friends and family about your habit? Do you ask to borrow money and lie about the reason? Have you become isolated from your core group of friends? One tell-tale sign of addiction is withdrawal, isolation, and the collapse of both your financial and personal life.
If you’re reading this, either you or your loved one may have a drug addiction problem. One of the first signs of addiction is denial. Whether you’re not ready to get help or don’t think you need it, it’s important to recognize the signs before your addiction gets completely out of control. Now is the time to seek help and reclaim your life.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
