Substance addiction, especially going unchecked, involves both physical and psychological processes. Although there are general signs to look for, it’s important to note that each person’s experience with addiction is slightly different. However, signs and symptoms often involve a cluster of some of the following symptoms. If you or the person you suspect of addiction don’t have all the symptoms on this list that doesn’t mean you or they don’t have a problem with addiction.
Some of the common symptoms of addiction are:
- Slurred speech,
- Coordination problems,
- Impaired memory,
- Short, frequent disappearances,
- Frequently late or absent with poor explanations,
- Extreme mood changes – happy, sad, excited, anxious, etc,
- Sleeping a lot more or less than usual, or at different times of day or night,
- Changes in energy – unexpectedly and extremely tired or energetic,
- Weight loss or weight gain,
- Unexpected and persistent coughs or sniffles,
- Seeming unwell at certain times, and better at other times,
- Pupils of the eyes seeming smaller or larger than usual,
- Secretiveness,
- Lying,
- Stealing,
- Changes in social groups, new and unusual friends, odd cell-phone conversations,
Remember to be careful about jumping to conclusions with others about their possible addiction behavior. Unless you have found drugs or drug paraphernalia, it’s possible there is another explanation. But, don’t be fooled. If there are drugs and drug paraphernalia you personally might end up with a legal problem if you don’t address this situation.
A confrontation with someone with an addiction is likely to just lead to denial and rejection from the addicted person. Trust needs to be earned, so try to be supportive.
Recovery Rob BIO
Recovery Rob is a 48-year-old man who has more than twenty years of sobriety, whose drugs of choice at one time were alcohol and drugs, and he has worked in and around the field of addiction for more than 20 years. Having just recently launched his own website, www.askrecoveryrob.com, he hopes to reach out and continue to help others who work through their process of addiction and recovery. Recovery Rob is a professional writer who has published two novels and is currently working on his third. He has been writing and working as Pat Moore Foundation’s premiere blogger and content writer, which helps keeps Pat Moore Foundation’s addiction and recovery blog top-rated.