Drug abuse may begin with the experimental use of recreational drugs in social situations, and for some people drug use is becoming more frequent. For others, especially opioids, addiction begins when they take prescribed drugs or are drugged by others who have prescriptions.
Risk of addiction and rate of addiction depend on the drug. Some drugs, such as opioid analgesics, have a higher risk and are more addictive than others.
Over time, you may need larger doses of the drug to feel the high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As you use drugs, you may find it increasingly difficult to do without them. Attempts to stop using drugs can cause intense craving and make you feel physically ill. This is called withdrawal symptoms.
Help from your health care practitioner, family, friends, support groups, or organized treatment program can help you overcome drug dependence and quit drugs.
Symptoms
Symptoms and behavior of drug abuse include, but are not limited to:
Feeling as though they need to use the drug regularly—daily or even several times a day
There is a strong desire to take a drug that blocks any other thoughts.
Over time, a larger dose is needed to achieve the same effect.
Taking more of the drug for a longer period of time than you thought
Make sure you have a supply of the drug
Spending money on drugs, even if you can't afford it
Non-fulfillment of obligations and work responsibilities or reduction of social or recreational activities due to drug use
Continue to use the drug even if you know it is causing problems in your life or physical or psychological harm to you
Doing things you don't normally do to get a drug, like stealing
Driving a car or doing other risky activities while intoxicated
Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from a drug
Failure to stop drug use
Withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop the drug
Recognizing unhealthy drug use among family members
Differentiating normal adolescent moodiness or anxiety from the signs of drug use is sometimes difficult.
Possible signs that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:
Problems at school or work—frequent absenteeism from school or work, a sudden loss of interest in school activities or work, and decreased academic performance or productivity
Physical health problems include lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain, and eye redness.
Negligence in appearance—lack of interest in clothing, self-care, or appearance
Behavioral changes are serious attempts to stop family members from entering the adolescent’s room or conceal the fact that they have been in contact with friends; or dramatic changes in behavior and relationships with family and friends
Money problems are sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or finding you missing or stealing money, or things disappearing from your home, which may indicate that they are being sold to support drug use.
Recognition of signs of drug use or intoxication
Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication vary depending on the type of drug. Below you will find some examples.
Marijuana, hashish and other substances containing cannabis
People consume cannabis by smoking, eating, or inhaling a vapor form of the drug. Cannabis is often preceded or used with other substances, such as alcohol or illegal drugs, and is often the first drug to be tried.
Signs and symptoms of recent use may include
Euphoria or highVisual, auditory, and gustatory sensation aggravated
Blood pressure and heart rate increased
Red eyes
Dry mouth
Decreased coordination
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Reaction time delayed
Anxiety or paranoid thinking
Cannabis odor on clothing or yellow fingertips
A strong desire to eat certain foods at unusual times
Long-term use is often associated with
Mental acuity decreased
Poor academic performance at school or work
Persistent cough and frequent lung infections
K2, Spices and bath salts
Two groups of synthetic drugs—synthetic cannabinoids and substituted or synthetic cathinones—are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as quality control is lacking and some ingredients may be unknown.
Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked but can be made as herbal tea. The liquid form can be vaporized in electronic cigarettes. Despite manufacturers’ claims, these are chemical compounds, not "natural" or harmless products. These drugs can cause marijuana-like "high" and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.
Signs and symptoms of recent use may include
Euphoria or highElevated mood
Visual, auditory, and gustatory alterations
Extreme anxiety or agitation
Paranoia
Hallucination
Heart rate and blood pressure or heart attack
Vomiting
Confusion
Aggressive behavior
Substituted cathinones
Also
called bath salts are mind-altering (psychoactive) substances similar to amphetamines, such as ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Packages are often labeled as other products to avoid detection.
Despite the name, it is not bath products such as English salt. The substituted cathinones can be eaten, smelled, inhaled, or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication, leading to dangerous health effects or even death.
Signs and symptoms of recent use may include
I feel "at the top"Increased sociability
Increased energy and arousal
Sexual desire increased
A rapid heart rate and high blood pressure
Problems with Clear Thinking
Loss of muscle control
Paranoia
Panic attacks
Hallucination
Delusion
Psychotic and aggressive behavior
Barbiturates, benzodiazepines and hypnotics
Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and hypnotics are prescription depressants of the central nervous system. They are often used and abused in search of a feeling of relaxation or a desire to "unplug" or to forget thoughts or feelings related to stress.
Barbiturates. Phenobarbital is an example.
Benzodiazepines. Examples are sedatives such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Clonopine), and chlordiazepoxide (Librium). Sleeping pills. Examples are prescription hypnotics such as zolpidem (Ambien) and zaleplon (Sonata).
Signs and symptoms of recent use may include
DrowsinessSlurred speech
Lack of coordination
Irritability or mood swings
Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
Memory Problems
Involuntary eye movements
Lack of braking
Slow breathing and low blood pressure
Falls or accidents
Dizziness
Met, cocaine and other stimulants
Stimulants
They include amphetamines, methamphetamine (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerto, and others), and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis). They are often used and abused in search of a "high", or to increase energy, to improve productivity at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite.
Signs and symptoms of recent use may include
Feeling excited and overconfidentVigilance increased
Increased energy and anxiety
Behavior changes or aggression
Rapid or incoherent speech
The pupils are larger than usual, and the eyes are black in the middle
Confusion, delusions, and hallucinations
Irritability, restlessness, or paranoia
Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
Nausea or vomiting with weight loss
Poor judgment
Nasal congestion and nasal mucosal injury (due to inhalation of drugs)
Mouth ulcers, gum disease, and tooth decay due to drug smoking ("methamphetamine mouth")
Insomnia
Depression when the drug is stopped
Club drugs
Club drugs are commonly used in clubs, concerts, and ??parties. Examples are methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also called MDMA, ecstasy, or molly, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, known as GHB. Other examples include ketamine and flunitrazepam or rohypnol, a brand used outside the United States, also called rufi. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they have some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.
Because GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion, and memory loss, these drugs are associated with the likelihood of sexual abuse or rape.
Signs and symptoms of club drug use may include
HallucinationParanoia
Pupils larger than normal
Chills and sweats
Tremor (involuntary tremor)
Changes in behavior
Muscle cramps and clenching
Muscle relaxation, poor coordination, or movement problems
Decrease of prohibitions
Visual, auditory and taste sensations aggravated or altered
Poor judgment
Memory problems or loss of memory
Consciousness decreased
Increase or decrease heart rate and blood pressure
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