“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.”
– Benjamin Alire Sáenz


Signs & Symptoms


Common Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Nausea

A person using drugs may have nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.

Anxiety

You may have panic attacks – periods of very severe anxiety when your heart rate increases, with trembling, sweats, shortness of breath, and a fear of losing control.

Vomiting

Abdominal pain,vomiting, and diarrhea are possible. Vomiting blood, or blood in bowel movements, can be life threatening

Depression

You may have times when you feel depressed – sad, restless, irritable, tired, loss of pleasure, or manic – elevated mood, delusions, impulsive behaviour, racing thoughts.

Sleeping Problems

A person using drugs may be hard to awaken or may act bizarrely. Sleepiness, confusion, and coma are common.


Withdrawal Symptoms for Specific Drugs

Withdrawal symptoms usually occur when the body becomes habituated to a substance that is consumed over a long enough period of time and then either stopped completely or radically reduced in dosage.

Warnings

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are serious issues that should not be ignored or minimized. If left untreated, use and abuse can develop into drug dependence or alcoholism. As a result, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse early. If you’re worried about your own drug or alcohol use, or that of a friend or family member, here are some of the warning signs to look for:


  • 1. Loss of Control : Drinking or drugging more than a person wants to, for longer than they intended, or despite telling themselves that they wouldn’t do it this time.
  • 2. Neglecting Other Activities : Spending less time on activities that used to be important (hanging out with family and friends, exercising, pursuing hobbies or other interests) because of the use of alcohol or drugs; drop in attendance and performance at work or school.
  • 3. Risk Taking : More likely to take serious risks in order to obtain one’s drug of choice.
  • 4. Relationship Issues : People struggling with addiction are known to act out against those closest to them, particularly if someone is attempting to address their substance problems; complaints from co-workers, supervisors, teachers or classmates.
  • 5. Secrecy : Going out of one’s way to hide the amount of drugs or alcohol consumed or one’s activities when drinking or drugging; unexplained injuries or accidents.
  • 6. Tolerance : Over time, a person's body adapts to a substance to the point that they need more and more of it in order to have the same reaction.
  • 7. Withdrawal : As the effect of the alcohol or drugs wear off the person may experience symptoms such as: anxiety or jumpiness; shakiness or trembling; sweating, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, depression, irritability, fatigue or loss of appetite and headaches.
  • 8.Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences : Even though it is causing problems (on the job, in relationships, for one’s health), a person continues drinking and drugging.