Drug Addiction – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is a medical condition where a person cannot control their use of legal or illegal drugs. This includes substances like alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine.

People with addiction often continue using drugs despite harmful consequences.

The path to addiction varies. Some people begin with casual drug use in social settings, while others develop addiction after taking prescribed medications, particularly opioids.

Different substances carry different addiction risks. Opioid painkillers, for instance, tend to be more addictive and work more quickly than other drugs.

When someone tries to quit, they often face intense cravings and physical discomfort. These withdrawal symptoms can make recovery challenging without proper support.

Recovery from addiction is possible. Support can come from:

• Healthcare providers
• Family members
• Friends
• Support groups
• Professional treatment programs

With appropriate help, individuals can overcome addiction and maintain a drug-free life.

Signs of Substance Misuse

It can be hard to tell the difference between normal mood changes and signs of drug use in loved ones.

Watch for these warning signs:

• School or work issues – skipping class or work, losing interest in activities, or declining grades or performance.
• Health changes – low energy, weight fluctuations, or bloodshot eyes.
• Poor self-care – neglecting appearance, grooming, or clothing.
• Behavior shifts – unusual secrecy, blocking family from personal spaces, or sudden changes in friendships and family relationships.
• Unexplained money needs – asking for money without good reasons or missing money and items from your home.

Understanding Drug Intoxication Indicators

Different substances cause varied signs of use or intoxication. The symptoms below can help identify specific drug use.

Cannabis and Related Products

People use cannabis products by smoking, eating, or vaporizing them. Cannabis is often used before trying other substances.

Recent use signs include:

• Feeling “high” or euphoric
• Heightened sensory perception
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Red, bloodshot eyes
• Dry mouth and throat
• Poor coordination
• Memory and concentration problems
• Slower reactions
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Marijuana smells on clothing or yellow-stained fingers
• Strong food cravings at odd times

Long-term users often show:

• Reduced mental sharpness
• Poor academic or work performance
• Persistent cough and respiratory issues

Synthetic Drugs

Synthetic cannabinoids (K2, Spice) and synthetic cathinones (bath salts) are dangerous substances with unpredictable effects.

K2/Spice is typically sprayed on dried plants and smoked, brewed as tea, or vaped. Signs include:

• Euphoric feelings
• Improved mood
• Changed sensory perception
• Extreme anxiety
• Paranoid thoughts
• Hallucinations
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Vomiting
• Mental confusion
• Aggressive behavior

Bath salts are stimulants similar to ecstasy or cocaine. They can be eaten, snorted, inhaled, or injected. Watch for:

• Intense happiness
• Increased sociability
• Heightened energy levels
• Boosted sex drive
• Rapid heartbeat
• Thinking difficulties
• Poor muscle control
• Paranoia
• Panic
• Hallucinations
• Confused mental state
• Violent behavior

Sedatives and Relaxants

These prescription drugs include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and sleeping medications.

Common signs of use:

• Drowsiness
• Unclear speech
• Poor coordination
• Mood swings
• Concentration problems
• Memory issues
• Involuntary eye movements
• Reduced inhibitions
• Slow breathing
• Frequent falls or accidents
• Dizziness

Stimulant Substances

This category includes methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription stimulants like Ritalin or Adderall.

Look for:

• Excessive excitement and confidence
• Heightened alertness
• Restlessness and energy
• Aggressive behavior
• Fast, rambling speech
• Dilated pupils
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Irregular vital signs
• Weight loss with nausea
• Poor decision-making
• Nasal problems (if snorted)
• Dental issues (especially with meth)
• Sleep problems
• Post-use depression

Party Drugs

These substances are commonly used at social gatherings like clubs and concerts. They include MDMA (ecstasy/molly), GHB, ketamine, and flunitrazepam (roofie).

GHB and flunitrazepam can cause sedation and memory loss, increasing the risk of sexual assault.

Signs of party drug use:

• Increased emotional warmth
• Distorted sense of time
• Enhanced sensory experiences
• Muscle tension or relaxation
• Chills or sweating
• Teeth clenching
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Poor coordination
• Slurred speech
• Memory gaps
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Decreased awareness

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens like LSD, psilocybin, and PCP alter perception and mood.

Common effects include:

• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Intense emotional responses
• Detachment from reality
• Increased heart rate
• Nausea
• Intense sensory experiences
• Time distortion
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Unpredictable behavior

Inhalant Substances

Inhalants include solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites that produce brief highs when breathed in.

Watch for:

• Chemical odors on breath or clothing
• Paint or stains on face, hands, or clothes
• Hidden containers or rags
• Slurred speech
• Disorientation
• Dizziness
• Lack of coordination
• Nausea
• Reduced inhibitions
• Headaches
• Rashes around mouth or nose

Prescription Pain Medications

Opioid painkillers include oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and related drugs.

Signs of misuse:

• Drowsiness or sedation
• Confusion
• Constricted pupils
• Slowed breathing
• Nausea or constipation
• Impaired coordination
• Mood swings
• Poor judgment
• Doctor shopping for multiple prescriptions
• Withdrawal symptoms when stopping use

When To Consult a Doctor

Seek professional help if you notice:

• Changes in behavior that worry you
• Signs of depression, anxiety, or sleep problems
• Unexplained physical symptoms
• Relationship difficulties related to substance use
• Problems managing responsibilities
• Using substances to cope with emotions
• Failed attempts to cut down or stop use

When To Get Emergency Help

Call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately if someone:

• Has taken a drug and is unconscious
• Has trouble breathing
• Shows signs of a possible overdose
• Has seizures
• Has symptoms of heart attack
• Becomes extremely agitated or violent
• Talks about harming themselves

Planning an Intervention

An intervention brings together people who care about the person with addiction.

What Causes Drug Addiction?

Brain Changes

Drug addiction develops from several key factors. When someone uses drugs regularly, their brain starts to work differently. The brain has special cells called neurons that talk to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters.

These chemicals help create feelings of pleasure.

When someone takes drugs repeatedly, these neurons change physically. The brain gets used to the drug and needs it to feel normal. These brain changes can last a long time, even after someone stops using drugs.

Environmental factors play a big role in why people start using drugs. Family attitudes about drugs and spending time with friends who use drugs can influence someone to try them.

Genetics also affects how quickly addiction develops after someone starts using drugs. Some people have genes that make addiction happen faster, while others may be more resistant.

Risk Factors

Many factors can increase someone’s chance of becoming addicted to drugs. No one is immune to addiction – it affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

Family History
People with relatives who struggle with addiction face a higher risk themselves. Genes play a significant role in how our bodies and brains respond to substances. If your parent or sibling has dealt with addiction, you may be more vulnerable.

Mental Health Conditions
Those with mental health issues like depression, ADHD, or PTSD have an increased risk of drug addiction. Some people use drugs to cope with difficult emotions, which often worsens their mental health problems.

Social Influences

• Peer pressure strongly affects drug use, especially among young people
• Limited family involvement or supervision raises addiction risk
• Difficult family relationships can push someone toward substance use

Age of First Use
Starting drug use at a young age is particularly dangerous. Drugs can affect brain development and make addiction more likely later in life.

Type of Substance
Some drugs create addiction more quickly than others:

• Stimulants
• Cocaine
• Opioid painkillers

How someone takes a drug also matters. Smoking or injecting substances increases addiction potential compared to other methods. Even drugs considered less addictive can lead to more serious drug use over time.

Health Consequences

Severe Physical and Mental Impact

Drug use can cause serious harm to your body and mind. Some drugs are especially dangerous when taken in large amounts or mixed with alcohol.

Methamphetamine, opiates, and cocaine are highly addictive substances. They can cause psychotic episodes, seizures, or even death from overdose. Opioids affect brain areas that control breathing, making overdose potentially fatal. This risk increases when combined with alcohol.

GHB and flunitrazepam can cause confusion, sedation, and memory loss. These substances are sometimes used in sexual assaults because they impair judgment and memory of events. High doses may lead to seizures, coma, or death, especially when mixed with alcohol.

MDMA (also called ecstasy or molly) can disrupt the body’s temperature regulation. Severe temperature spikes may cause organ failure and death. Users also risk serious dehydration that can trigger seizures. Long-term use can damage brain tissue.

Street drugs pose additional dangers because they often contain unknown substances. Pills, powders, and liquids may be mixed with other dangerous drugs or chemicals.

Inhalants are particularly toxic to the brain, causing varying levels of brain damage. Even a single use can result in sudden death.

Other Life-Changing Complications

Drug dependence creates numerous serious problems beyond direct health effects:

• Infectious Disease Risk: People struggling with addiction face higher chances of contracting diseases like HIV through needle sharing or unsafe sexual practices.

• Comprehensive Health Decline: Addiction leads to both immediate and long-term health problems affecting both physical and mental wellbeing.

• Increased Accident Risk: People using drugs are more likely to drive impaired or engage in other dangerous activities.

• Higher Suicide Rates: Drug addiction is associated with significantly increased suicide risk compared to the general population.

• Family Breakdown: Behavior changes from drug use often cause relationship conflicts and child custody problems.

• Career Damage: Work performance typically suffers, with increased absences eventually leading to job loss.

• Educational Setbacks: Academic performance and motivation decline when drugs become a priority.

• Legal Troubles: Drug users commonly face legal issues from:
  • Possessing illegal substances
  • Theft to support drug habits
  • Impaired driving
  • Child custody disputes

• Financial Instability: Money spent on drugs diverts resources from essential needs, creating debt and sometimes prompting illegal activities to fund the addiction.

Ways to Stop Drug Problems

Keeping Kids and Teens Away From Drugs

Stopping drug problems before they start is important for young people. Parents and caregivers play a key role in prevention.

Talk openly with children about drugs and their dangers. Use clear, age-appropriate language to explain the risks. When kids share concerns about peer pressure, listen carefully and offer support.

Be a positive role model by using medications properly and avoiding substance misuse. Children often copy the behaviors they see at home.

Build strong family relationships through:

• Regular family activities
• Open communication
• Clear boundaries
• Consistent rules about drug use

Strong family bonds help protect children from trying drugs when faced with peer pressure.

Avoiding Return to Drug Use

After recovery, preventing relapse requires ongoing effort and awareness. People who have had drug problems face higher risks of returning to drug use.

Follow your recovery plan:

• Attend all therapy appointments
• Take medications as prescribed
• Participate in support groups
• Practice coping skills daily

Recognize warning signs of possible relapse, such as:

• Increasing stress
• Skipping recovery activities
• Reconnecting with people from your drug-using past
• Glamorizing past drug use

Avoid risky situations by staying away from places, people, and events connected to your past drug use. Create a new routine that supports your health.

If you do use drugs again, get help immediately. Contact your doctor, counselor, or support person right away. A brief return to drug use doesn’t mean failure – prompt action can help you get back on track quickly.