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How Do You Know If Someone Is Addicted To Drugs

How Can Workplaces Help Addicted Employees

How To Know If Someone Is Addicted To Drugs or Alcohol (2020)

Because workplace addiction takes such a severe toll on morale, safety and revenue, companies both large and small are taking steps both to prevent addiction at work and help employees who have addictions.

Strict, written policies on drug abuse can protect companies and clarify expectations about employee behavior. Whether the penalty for coming to work under the influence is immediate dismissal or referral for counseling, making those expectations explicit can help to shape employee behavior.

Pre-employment drug testing, along with testing in specific circumstances such as after a workplace accident or in the event of reasonable suspicion, can also help to reduce the impact of drug abuse on the workplace as a whole and identify at-risk employees.

Employee Assistance Programs and other kinds of support can help an addicted employee start the journey toward recovery. EAP programs are in place in many companies, offering confidential referrals to counseling, rehabs and support groups for substance abuse and many other kinds of problems that might affect an employees performance on the job.

Protecting Yourself When Dating An Addict

According to WellMind.com, its a natural tendency to want to help your partner avoid the devastating consequence of drug addiction. It is important to recognize and avoid enabling behaviors, and many romantic partners often carry the burden of guilt associated with addiction. Studies have found that verbalizing your feelings can help alleviate feelings of stress, anger, and pain.

Other tips to protect yourself from watching a love one battle addiction:

  • Boost your emotional health by surrounding yourself with things and people you care about.
  • Start learning about the disease of addiction.
  • Let go of regret and find resources that may help you discover self-compassion.
  • Set boundaries for yourself and stick with them.

Last but not least, its important to reach out for help. It is always a good idea to see a therapist regularly and/or find a support group in your area that can be your outlet for processing what addiction is and how it can impact your life.

Seeking Treatment For Drug Addiction

Depending on your specific goals and needs, there are many types of treatment programs and supportive resources available for drug addiction. Treatment may include:

  • Detox: Under medical supervision, your body can safely adjust to not using drugs.

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment : Prescription drugs like Naltrexone and Buprenorphine can reduce cravings for drugs.

  • Counseling and therapy: Individual or group therapy sessions, or a combination of both, can help you manage your emotions in a private, judgment-free environment.

  • Support groups: These groups bring together individuals with drug addiction. Your fellow peers act as a support system for each other throughout recovery.

  • Treatment for other medical conditions: Medical services can manage and treat any of the short- and long-term health effects associated with drug addiction.

  • Treatment for mental or behavioral health needs: You can receive prescribed psychiatric medications for mental health needs, such as depression or anxiety, that occur at the same time as drug addiction.

There isnt an overnight cure for drug addiction, but with treatment, it is possible to get better over time. Treatment builds a solid foundation of physical and mental strength, as well as a system of support to rely on for help.

If you recognize these symptoms, no matter the type of drug addiction, seek help today. Contact us to learn more about starting treatment.

Eleanor Health

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The Effects Of Drug Abuse And Addiction On Family And Friends

Witnessing someone you care about battle a substance use disorder can be extremely distressing and take a heavy toll on your own mental and emotional well-being. Whether the drug abuser is a close friend, spouse, parent, child, or other family member, its easy for their addiction to take over your life. It can pile stress upon stress, test your patience, strain your bank balance, and leave you racked by feelings of guilt, shame, anger, fear, frustration, and sadness.

You may worry about where your loved one is at any given time, their risk of overdosing, or the damage theyre doing to their health, future, and home life. You may be in debt from paying their living expenses, the cost of legal troubles resulting from their drug abuse, or from failed attempts at rehab and recovery. You may also be worn down by covering for your loved one at home or work, having to shoulder the responsibilities they neglect, or being unable to devote more time to other family, friends, and interests in your life.

As despairing as you may feel, youre not alone in your struggle. A Pew Research Center survey in 2017 found that nearly half of Americans have a family member or close friend whos been addicted to drugs. Across the Western world, the abuse of prescription pain relievers and tranquillizers has skyrocketed in recent years, creating a public health crisis.

You Cant Fix The Problem Directly

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Unless you are a licensed mental health professional, you should never try to fix your friend or loved ones substance use problem. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse , addictions are complex and chronic diseases that require medical intervention to overcome. You wouldnt try to cure a persons cancer or diabetes, and you shouldnt hope to cure their addiction either. The safety of your friend is not the only reason this is important, however, the potential guilt that can overcome you if you fail in getting them better can be hard to cope with. No matter what happens, you are never responsible for the outcome and with a disease like addiction that impacts so many parts of our lives, that is important to understand.

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How To Approach A Person With A Drug Use Problem

The way to talk to a person who is dealing with an addiction is to talk to them about it. Have a one on one talk with them so that they wont feel uneasy or threatened. You dont want the person to feel like the world is out to get them. You would want them to trust you so that the two of you can talk calmly about whats going on.

How Can You Tell If Someone Is Under The Influence Of Heroin

Dec 1, 2021 | Blog

Many people suffer from heroin addiction while living seemingly normal lives, despite the fact that the drug is going to be in their system almost constantly for them to be able to function normally. While the signs of drug abuse can go unnoticed, it helps to keep your eyes out for them and know what physical and behavioral cues to look for.

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How To Tell If Someone Is On Drugs: Opiates Marijuana And More

While virtually any substance can be abused, some drugs carry a higher risk of dependency and addiction than others. Its important to identify instances of substance abuse early on, so intervention can occur before addiction takes hold.

Theres no question that substance use and abuse are widespread in the US. Per 2013-2015 data from NIDAs National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 65.7 percent of individuals 12 and older used alcohol the prior year, 13.5 percent used marijuana or hashish, and 17.8 percent reported using illicit drugs. In their lifetime, 81 percent of those surveyed reported drinking alcohol, 44 percent said they smoked marijuana or hashish, and 48.8 percent had used illicit drugs. The longer one uses a substance, the harder it is to stop without experiencing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. As a result, recognizing the signs of drug use sooner rather than later is important.

There are common signs of habitual drug use across all substances as well as signs that are unique to the type of substance abused.

Knowing these signs can help to identify whether a loved one may be using drugs and risking harmful consequences to their health, school, job, and family life.

Is Marijuana A Gateway Drug

Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs

Marijuana is not generally considered a “gateway drug” because the majority of those who use weed do not go on to use harder substances, including cocaine and heroin.

Social environment might be a more critical factor in determining someone’s risk for trying harder drugs.

If someone is vulnerable to getting involved with drugs, they generally start with substances that are readily available, such as alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana.

However, a person is also likely to start using the same substances that are used by the people in their social environment, no matter how addictive the drug.

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Understanding Your Loved Ones Substance Abuse

People start using drugs for a lot of different reasons. Many turn to substances to cope with the emotional pain of a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD. Known as self-medicating, some people may be aware they have a mental health issue but are unable to find healthier ways of coping, while others remain undiagnosed and use drugs to manage specific symptoms.

Other people turn to drugs to change how they feel, to fit in, or to alleviate boredom or dissatisfaction with their lives. Then there are those whose substance abuse develops from a doctors well-intentioned efforts to treat a medical condition. Of all the people prescribed opioids to relieve pain, for example, estimates suggest that more than a quarter will end up misusing the drug.

Whatever your loved ones reason for starting, though, not everyone who uses drugs develops a problem. While the exact causes of addiction arent clear, genetics likely plays a role, along with environmental factors. While one person is able to use substances without detrimental effects, another finds even casual use quickly escalates into compulsion and addictiona very dark hole from which they can feel powerless to emerge.

Intervention For A Heroin Problem

People addicted to Heroin are often reluctant to seek treatment for their problem. For those in the early stages of their addiction, this may be because they dont feel their drug use has become a problem yet. For those with a severe addiction to Heroin, they may have tried stopping several times already and find it impossible to quit. In either scenario, staging an intervention may be one of the best way to persuade them to get help.

During my intervention, I had my father, sisters and brother in the room reading me letters on how they felt and what they wanted for me in life. I refused to get help while I was there, but on the car ride home I was dropped off at the airport and went to a 90-day rehabilitation center.

– Victor W., in recovery from Heroin and other drugs

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Unusual Odors May Occur

A person with an addiction may have an unusual smell. Their breath may smell of alcohol or strong mints used to eliminate that smell. If the addiction involves huffing paint or other chemicals, those smells may linger in an addicts clothing. People with addictions to stimulant drugs often perspire profusely, too, causing a strong smell of sweat. If addiction has affected a persons self care and attention to grooming, that can also cause a distinctive odor that can distress coworkers.

Environmental Signs Of A Drug Problem

How to Tell is Someone is Addicted to Drugs

Unusual Smells. Some drugs, like alcohol, marijuana, crack, or meth, have distinct smells that individuals may try to cover up. Repeated and constant use will be hard to disguise. You may notice those smells on their clothes, in their car or bedroom, or on their breath or skin.

Finding Drug Paraphernalia. If you find smoking devices, needles, oil vaporizers, or stashes of different devices needed for drug use, you may want to discuss with your loved one what those items are and why they have them.

Deodorizers or Incense to Cover Up Smells. Some drugs have very strong smells. You may notice this person spraying areas such as their room or car, wearing very strong cologne or perfume, or even burning candles and incense to cover it. This is concerning especially if this is a new behavior.

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How Do You Know If You Are Addicted To Drugs And Alcohol

Drug and alcohol addiction are some of the most pervasive public health issues of our modern society. Over the last 20 years, substance abuse has been a hot topic of conversation. Its also been one of the biggest enemies families have faced. Addiction has affected more people than ever before and its become so normalized that it was once brushed under the carpet for fear of shame or embarrassment and now its openly discussed in meetings, support groups, on television, and among friends.

Currently, almost everyone in the U.S. knows someone who is or has struggled with addiction. It is no longer this hidden family secret that no one is willing to talk about. The sheer number of addicts is staggering, and likely many more are addicted who dont realize it.

A question some people have is, how do I know if Im addicted to drugs and alcohol? Some people might have had friends or family tell them their drinking or social drug use is a problem. It might be. I would say if people surrounding a person are concerned by their substance use, they may very well have a problem thats getting out-of-control. Whatever the case is, its important to know the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol addiction.

How To Spot Drug Use In Adolescents

While overall moodiness can simply be part of adolescence and the teen years, drug use is generally signified by more drastic changes in mood or behaviors in this age group. Per the National Institute on Drug Abuse , signs of drug use in adolescents include acting withdrawn, tired, depressed, or hostile.

Parents should take note when a child starts associating with a different group of peers, as changes in peer groups may be linked with substance use. An adolescent using drugs might also miss classes, skip school, or change their eating or sleeping habits. Parents can also listen for their kids using slang terms for certain drugs of abuse.

If drug use is suspected, prompt intervention is vital. Parents can get help from guidance counselors, primary care physicians, and drug abuse treatment providers.

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Signs Of Heroin Abuse

Many people who suspect heroin abuse in a loved one or colleague may not even know what this substance or its related paraphernalia look like. As the Foundation for a Drug-Free World explains, heroin is white in its pure form, but other substances are often cut into it and turn it rose gray, brown, or black.

Heroin paraphernalia include the containers used to transport it and instruments used to consume it. Examples of paraphernalia include but are not limited to:

  • Small pieces of foil with burn marks
  • Small tubes
  • Black tar
  • Smack

Heroin is a highly addictive drug and an overdose can prove fatal. For this reason, signs of heroin addiction should be taken seriously, and measures should be taken to stage an intervention or otherwise convince a loved one to join a rehab program.

My Friend Took Drugs Once Will They Become An Addict

WHY DO ONLY SOME PEOPLE GET ADDICTED TO DRUGS?

Most people only develop an addiction after regularly taking a drug. Its highly unlikely that anyone will develop an addiction after taking drugs once or twice or from drinking once or twice.

Some signs that a person is getting addicted to alcohol or drugs are:

  • they take the drug very regularly or drink very regularly
  • they take it despite trying to cut down or stop
  • they lie about how much they take or take it in secret
  • they keep taking it despite the harm it’s causing
  • they drink or take drugs alone
  • they do extreme things to get the drug or alcohol like stealing, getting into debt or faking symptoms to get prescription drugs
  • they do less of the things they enjoy, because the drugs or alcohol are getting in the way

Remember that people who are addicted often dont think they are, or dont feel like they can admit it.

So if you think your friend has a problem and you want to help them, think about how you’re going to approach the topic and what youre going to say as you dont want to upset them.

And if they dont listen to you at first, dont be put off. Just give them some space and try again in a little while.

Also Check: How Long To Break Alcohol Addiction

Signs Of Benzodiazepine Abuse

Benzodiazepines are a prescription medication used to treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and other conditions. These drugs are among the most highly prescribed in America. Benzodiazepines are mainly available in tablet or capsule form, though some are manufactured as injectable liquids and syrups. Short-term use is generally safe, but abuse can cause numerous complications.

As benzodiazepines are sedatives, some of their side effects overlap with the general signs of addiction. Persons using benzodiazepines may experience the following side effects, including:

  • Impaired coordination
  • Confusion
  • Heahache

There are many well-known brands of benzodiazepines, including Xanax, Diazepam, Valium, and Klonopin. These pharmaceuticals can be acquired in numerous ways. Some people have legitimate prescriptions but may have used deceptive means to get them from more than one doctor. Currently, doctors do not have the benefit of a national database that stores information on a clients active prescriptions. The illegal circulation of benzodiazepines does not only happen on the street, it also happens when those holding a prescription share these drugs with others.

It is important to understand that even though benzodiazepines are legal, they may be used in a way that makes the use illegal. If a person is showing the signs of abuse, it is critical to get them help.

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