Understanding the signs and symptoms of addiction can help you or a loved one make a decision about treatment. Every experience with addiction is different, and if you or a loved one are struggling, we are here to help.

Understanding Addiction

Learn about addiction and substance abuse

Simply defined, substance abuse is a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. The misuse of substances such as alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications can change how the mind and body work and in many instances leads to addiction. Individuals who have become addicted to alcohol or drugs will continue to use these substances despite the adverse cognitive, negative, behavioral, and psychological symptoms that occur. This chronic, often relapsing brain disease causes compulsive drug seeking and use, which can affect performance at school or work, cause relationship difficulties, and lead to run-ins with the law. Common drugs that are abused include alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, tobacco, and other known or unknown substances.

If you are worried about your own or a loved one’s substance abuse, it is important to know that help is available. Through detoxification, appropriate treatment methods, and continued support individuals can overcome their substance abuse problems and lead a drug free life.

Statistics

Addiction statistics

In 2012, an estimated 24 million Americans over the age of 12 have used or abused drugs. That number represents just over 9% of the United States population and researchers are expecting that number to increase.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for addiction

The specific cause of why a person would develop a substance abuse problem has yet to be determined by researchers. However, while use does not automatically lead to addiction, studies have shown that there are a number of factors that can make a person more susceptible to developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol. The most common factors include:

Genetic: Addiction is often referred to as a family disease because hereditary factors can determine who will be at greater risk for developing an addiction. Those with a family history of substance abuse and addiction are at a higher risk than those who do not have the same background.

Physical: Changes in brain chemistry are known to occur in those who abuse drugs and alcohol. More specifically, the chemicals in the brain that communicate pain, process information, and regulate mood are proven to be affected with prolonged substance use. Disturbances in normal brain functioning and the imbalance of vital chemicals can often lead to physical and psychological dependence.

Environmental: Environmental influences have been shown to play an essential role in whether or not a person develops a substance abuse disorder. For example, since drugs or alcohol provide an individual with a sense of relief and escape from the outside world, those who live, work, or attend school in a stressful environment are at risk of abusing substances.

Risk Factors:

Family history of substance abuse
Exposure to substance use
Peer pressure
Stressful home environment
Lack of parenting / parental attachment
Being male
Preexisting mental illness
Undiagnosed mental illness
Lack of impulse control
Lacking effective coping skills
Exposure to violence
Being the victim of abuse, neglect, or crime
Low self-esteem
Low socioeconomic status
Access to drugs and/or alcohol

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of addiction

There are a number of symptoms that can be indicative of substance abuse. Most signs and symptoms will depend upon the substance that is being abused, length of abuse, and personal factors. The signs and symptoms that are commonly associated with a substance abuse disorder may include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Problems with the legal system
Changes in personality
Decline in grades or quality of work
Sudden change in friends
Physical violence against other people or property
Impaired coordination
Suspension or expulsion from school
Engaging in risky behavior
Unexplained need for money
Being secretive
Rapid or slowed speech
Change in sleep pattern
Lack of impulse control
Change in eating habits

Physical symptoms:

Lack of hygiene
Headaches
Diarrhea
Dilated or constricted pupils
Muscle tension
Tremors
Slurred speech
Nausea
Vomiting

Cognitive symptoms:

Disorientation
Confusion
Memory impairment
Inability to concentrate
Altered state of perception

Psychosocial symptoms:

Aggression
Helplessness and hopelessness
Paranoia
Irritability
Mood swings
Changes in personality
Depression
Agitation
Decreased motivation
Anxiety

Effects

Effects of addiction

The effects of a substance abuse problem, if not properly addressed and treated can have many long-term effects on a person’s life. Depending on the substance being abused, the following effects can occur in someone abusing drugs and/or alcohol:

Addiction or physical dependence on drugs / alcohol
Decline in overall mental health
Decline in quality and quantity of interpersonal relationships
Loss of employment
Homelessness
Coma
Stroke
Seizures
Mood swings
Memory loss
Damage to vital organs
Contracting an infectious disease
Malnutrition
Collapsed veins
Overdose
Suicidal ideation
Death

Co-Occurring Disorders

Addiction and co-occurring disorders

Having another mental illness in addition to a substance abuse problem is common among drug and alcohol users. The subsequent mental disorders are often diagnosed in people with a substance abuse disorder:

Schizophrenia
Personality disorders
Conduct disorder
Depressive disorders
Mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Adjustment disorder

Withdrawal & Overdose

Effects of withdrawal & overdose

After prolonged drug or alcohol use, an individual’s body will become physically and psychologically dependent on drugs or alcohol. Therefore, when a person stops his or her drug use, the effects of withdrawal can quickly appear. The listed effects have be known to occur when someone is withdrawing from drugs or alcohol:

Psychosis
Clammy skin
Paleness
Depressed mood
Panic
Nausea
Vomiting
Tremors
Chills
Agitation
Intense cravings
Anxious feelings
Muscle tension
Bone pain

Overdose is an extreme side effect of abusing drugs or alcohol. Depending on the substance being used, the overdose symptoms can somewhat vary. However, an overdose is a serious and requires immediate medical attention. The following symptoms may indicate an overdose: