How To Spot An Addict

How To Spot The Signs Of Meth Addiction

• Signs of Long-Term Use

Methamphetamineor methis an illegal stimulant drug that has become increasingly popular in the US in recent years. Unfortunately, this means some people may notice signs of meth addiction in their loved ones. Knowing the signs and symptoms to look for will assist those people in getting help for their friends and family members. Here is a look at the most common signs of meth addiction, both in the short and long term.

The Science Behind Behavioral Addiction

Due to scientific research, we know addiction to be a medical disorder that leads to changes in the brain and behavior. Biological and environmental factors along with genetic variations often contribute to the development and progression of addiction disorder.

Active changes found in the brain when it comes to addiction-related disorders have been the motivation behind many scientific research studies, something that has revolutionised the way that medical professionals conceptualize and treat addiction.

Centuries ago, ideas surrounding excessive alcohol and drug intake provided limited data and concepts about addiction. Addicts were stigmatized and thought of as having a weakness of will.

Thanks to modern science, this stigma is no longer valid as health professionals have since developed structural and scientific concepts surrounding addiction and the many pathways leading up to it.

Furthermore, due to increased knowledge about behavioral and process addiction, its likely that many of us are at risk of falling prey to at least some form of addiction due to its many forms and manifestations .

In this way, science has not only provided professionals with a way to understand and treat addiction but has inadvertently helped to reduce the stigma surrounding addictive-related disorders.

Changes To Physical And Mental Health

It may be possible to recognize addiction if someones health changes for the worst. Drug addiction is associated with a variety of health issues, including:

• Bloodshot or glazed eyes

• Memory loss or problems with recalling information

• Apathy, or lack of motivation or care

• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm

Its important to remember that health changes can occur for other medical reasons besides drug addiction. Its also common for those with drug addiction to downplay the seriousness of any health problems they are experiencing. If you are concerned about someones declining health and well-being, and there is no other explanation, there is an increased chance of a hidden addiction.

Also Check: How To Get Help With Food 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.

Is Love Addiction Even Real

Anybody who says its not an addiction, all I can tell you is that weve looked in the brain, said Dr. Fisher.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, Dr. Fisher and her colleagues have studied romantic love and found increased activity in a brain region called the nucleus accumbens, that becomes active when anything becomes an addiction alcohol or nicotine or cocaine or heroin or amphetamines or any one of those things, Dr. Fisher said.

But some in the scientific community dont even accept love addiction as a diagnosis. Love addiction is a contested concept, said Brian D. Earp, a Ph.D. candidate and the associate director of the Yale-Hastings Program in Ethics and Health Policy at Yale University who has studied love addiction. He noted that some of the disagreement comes down to the definition of love itself.

Some feminist philosophers argue that if a relationship is toxic or abusive it shouldnt even be labeled as love, Mr. Earp said, adding that some prefer the label addiction to toxic relationship behaviors.

To make matters even more complicated, experts also cant agree on the definition of addiction. Mr. Earp said some neuroscientists believe that something labeled an addiction must be bad for you. Therefore, if you rely on an activity that might be classified as unhealthy but its totally compatible with living a flourishing life, some experts would say theres no reason to call this an addiction, he said.

Read Also: Should Recovering Drug Addicts Drink Alcohol

Common Signs Of Drug Use And Addiction

The editorial staff of Rehabs.com is comprised of addiction content experts from American Addiction Centers. Our editors and medical reviewers have over a decade of cumulative experience in medical content editing and have reviewed thousands of pages for accuracy and relevance. Our reviewers consistently monitor the latest research from SAMHSA, NIDA, and other reputable sources to provide our readers the most accurate content on the web.

Substance use disorders are a complex condition in which a person cannot control their use of a substance despite having negative consequences.1 Individuals with an SUD are often focused on using a specific substance to the point where their use affects their day-to-day life.1 The most severe form of SUD is addiction.1

SUDs can lead to problems at home, school, or work and can have devastating effects on ones emotional and physical wellbeing. If you are worried about your own or a loved ones drug use, knowing the common signs of drug use and treatment options is important. Read on to learn about the behavioral, emotional, and physical changes that may occur from specific drugs.

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.

Read Also: How Long Do Heroin Addicts Live

Getting Into Legal Problems Because Of Drinking

If not even the frequent clashes with the law on charges of disorderly conduct, violent behavior, or drunken driving can keep a person from consuming alcohol, you can be certain that he or she values alcohol over life, security and safety, and normal social behavior. It is also plausible that the person who manifests the abusive alcoholic behavior consumes so much alcohol that it clouds his or her mind.

What Are The Signs Of Alcoholism

The common physical manifestations of alcoholism are:

• Flushed aspect characterized by the reddening of the face and other skin areas.
• Uncontrollable shaking movement of the hands or trembling of other body parts.
• Reddish rashes on the skin or red blotches on the skin that show up when drinking alcohol.

Recommended Reading: Who Can Prescribe Methadone For Addiction

They Experience Withdrawal Symptoms

People who are addicted to substances will likely experience withdrawal symptoms when they are not using drugs or alcohol. They will likely try to hide the symptoms of withdrawal, but many withdrawal symptoms are physical and often noticeable to others.

Common withdrawal symptoms from drugs or alcohol may include:

• anxiety

The more severe the addiction, the more severe the withdrawal symptoms will be.

Signs Of A Sex Addict

Sexual addiction can manifest itself in many different ways, both physical and emotional. It takes a healthcare professional to make a clear diagnosis, but here are some signs that can point to a potential sex addiction:

Obsessive Sexual Thoughts

Someone dealing with sex addiction may find themselves thinking persistently about sex. These chronic thoughts of sex or sexual fantasies may become obsessive or interfere with other responsibilities.

Spending Excessive Time on Sex

While seeking out sexual partners isnât necessarily a sign of sexual addiction, if someone is spending excessive amounts of time and energy on sex, it might be a red flag. This can include spending time attempting to acquire sex, having sex, being sexual, or recovering from sexual experiences.

Feeling Shame or Depression

If a need for sex crosses over into an addiction, someoneâs sexual feelings might also be interspersed with feelings of anxiety, shame, depression, or regret. The individual may feel shame about their sexual urges and their difficulty controlling those urges.

They may even show signs of clinical depression or suicide ideation. Research shows that it isn’t uncommon for people who are sexually compulsive to also show signs of depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. One study found that, among sexually compulsive men, 28% showed signs of depression, compared to 12% of the general population.

Excluding Other Activities

Masturbating Excessively

Cheating on Partners

You May Like: How To Treat Internet Addiction

What Is An Addiction

Recognizing an addiction problem in someone you know can be harder than it seems. The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as a chronic disease that affects the brains reward, motivation, and memory functions. Someone with an addiction will crave a substance or other behavioral habits. Theyll often ignore other areas of life to fulfill or support their desires.

General signs of addiction are:

• lack of control, or inability to stay away from a substance or behavior
• ignoring risk factors, like sharing needles despite potential consequences
• physical effects, like withdrawal symptoms or needing higher dosage for effect

These signs are commonly linked. The degree of intensity for each sign may depend on how long the addiction has been going on.

A healthy person can usually identify a negative behavior and get rid of it. This is not the case with someone with an addiction. Rather than admit the problem exists, theyll find ways to justify and continue the behavior.

The first step to getting help is being able to recognize the physical, mental, and emotional signs, like abrupt weight or personality changes in your friends or family members. If you or someone you know has an addiction, call 1-800-622-4357 for free and confidential treatment referral and information from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration .

Determining The Right Approach

Ideally, all those facing substance misuse and abuse should have access to treatment programs that can help individuals find sobriety and maintain it.

If youre desperate for assistance, contact us today for 24/7 support at 855-288-5588. Speak with one of our qualified admission staff members about concerns youre experiencing and wed be happy to offer some supportive suggestions and give you additional information for the programs we offer.

If you choose to approach your significant other on their possible drug use, here are a few pointers. First, understand that addiction is a disease that can often overtake an individual without warning and can have a tremendous impact on their physical and mental health. Experienced addiction therapists suggest finding a strategy for approaching the situation. Some tips include: avoid nagging, lecturing, begging, or criticizing. Try to find a private moment to discuss your concerns. Omit blame-angry language, and focus, on specific instances that have affected you. Be truthful and honest, and ask questions about what they may be feeling or experiencing.

Above all else, be compassionate and understanding. Substance misuse and addiction can make an individual feel alone and isolated. Finding time to speak with them directly, even if not immediately helpful, can assure them that theres possibility for recovery and that they are loved and cared for.

Don’t Miss: How To Stop Smartphone Addiction

How Can Aspenridge Help

If you think youre dating an addict, its important to seek help. A 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health noted that substance abuse in American adults has increased from under eight million in 2005 to over 27 million in 2015. By the 2018 survey, over 22 million Americans ages 12 and over were current marijuana users. One and a half million youths and over four million adults used psychotherapeutic drugs from prescription and non-medical sources.

Colorado drug use is certainly no exception. DrugRehab.com pointed out that a growing number of individuals are turning to drugs to help with issues like anxiety, depression, and even boredom. Colorado has continued to face increasing drug overdose deaths every year. In some counties, drug overdose deaths have tripled between 2005 and 2020. In 2019, methamphetamine caused over 300 drug overdose deaths, according to NPR .

We at AspenRidge are proud to offer substance abuse rehab and recovery programs in Colorado. Our evidence-based addiction programs demonstrate our knowledge and expertise in dual diagnosis treatment. We deploy proven modalities through data-backed evidence and holistic compassionate care. Our qualified and licensed therapists offer a tailored approach to help individuals succeed long-term in recovery.

Contact us today for supportive addiction services at .

How Can You Tell If You Or A Loved One Is Struggling With Opioid Abuse

Opioids are a class of drug that includes both prescription pain medicines and illegal drugs such as heroin. Though opioids can be prescribed by a doctor to treat pain, their misuse may lead to a dependency or addiction . Anyone prescribed an opioid should follow their doctors orders carefully, making sure to only take the medication as prescribed.

Opioid use disorder is a medical condition defined by not being able to abstain from using opioids, and behaviors centered around opioid use that interfere with daily life. Being physically dependent on an opioid can occur when someone has an opioid use disorder, and is characterized by withdrawal symptoms such as cravings and sweating. However, people can misuse opioids and not have physical dependence. When a person has physical dependence, it can be particularly hard to stop taking opioids, and that dependence can interfere with daily routines, including personal relationships or finances.

Opioid use disorder may be diagnosed by a doctor. Someone struggling with opioid use disorder may not display symptoms right away. However, over time, there may be some signs that they need help.

Also Check: How To Overcome Gaming Addiction

Help For Meth Addiction

Someone suffering from an addiction to meth needs help from certified professionals, which means finding an accredited addiction treatment center. The first step of treatment is usually detoxification, a process in which the body slowly gets used to being without the drug. The process is managed under the supervision of health professionals, who can ease the discomfort associated with detoxification.

Once the drug is flushed from the patients system, the inpatient treatment process can continue. This typically includes individual and group therapy, relapse prevention, experiential therapy, and resources that can continue to help once treatment is complete. There are many benefits of attending an accredited addiction treatment center, but one of the biggest benefits is providing a safe, comfortable environment for the individual to heal. Friends and family members should look for these signs, and then encourage their loved ones to seek treatment right away.

This page does not provide medical advice.

Signs Of Drug Abuse Or Addiction

Not every addiction looks the same.

Unfortunately, media representations have painted many misleading caricatures of how a person suffering from substance abuse disorder appears or behaves.

Often, people do not acknowledge that they have a problem, and friends or family members are the first to notice something has changed. If you are worried that you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction, uncertainty makes it hard to proceed. However, there are some telltale signs and symptoms to help you identify any potential issues.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Addicted To Clonazepam

What Are Substance Abuse And Addiction

The difference between substance abuse and addiction is very slight. Substance abuse means using an illegal substance or using a legal substance in the wrong way. Addiction begins as abuse, or using a substance like marijuana or cocaine.

You can abuse a drug without having an addiction. For example, just because Sara smoked pot a few times doesn’t mean that she has an addiction, but it does mean that she’s abusing a drug and that could lead to an addiction.

People can get addicted to all sorts of substances. When we think of addiction, we usually think of alcohol or illegal drugs. But people become addicted to medicines, cigarettes, even glue.

Some substances are more addictive than others: Drugs like crack or heroin are so addictive that they might only be used once or twice before the user loses control.

Addiction means a person has no control over whether he or she uses a drug or drinks. Someone who’s addicted to cocaine has grown so used to the drug that he or she has to have it. Addiction can be physical, psychological, or both.

How To Spot A Love Addict

Experts question whether we can describe a toxic relationship the way we talk about gambling or alcohol. But some have found that framework to be a helpful step in the road to freedom.

• Read in app

• Send any friend a story

  As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.

  Give this article

Tara Blair Ball, a relationship coach in Memphis, met her ex on Match.com. They instantly clicked.

He felt like my soulmate. It was the little things we both talked about the differences in the old Spider-Man movie with Tobey Maguire and the comic book. A lot of people didnt know about these details, and it just felt like this bonding experience.

On their first phone call, they talked for eight hours so long that Ms. Ball came late to work and was fired from her job at Target. I took that as a sign that I was supposed to be connected to him, she said, laughing.

When the red flags started to appear, Ms. Ball brushed them aside. He started acting jealous and wanted to know where I was, what I was doing, who I was talking to, how long I was going to be there and when I was going to be back. Instead of seeing warning signs, Ms. Ball interpreted his actions as affection.

We were quickly talking about marriage and moving in together. I felt like I couldnt be away from him for very long Id be in withdrawal.

Read Also: Can You Get Disability For Addiction