March 10, 2023
Uncategorized
Substance abuse is one of the biggest and long-standing problems in America. It usually starts when individuals experiments with various types of drugs in social settings.
In fact, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), around 50% of Americans aged 12 and above have used drugs illegally in their lifetime (1). Drug addiction has been destroying families, wrecking communities, and ravaging local economies as well as the overall economy of the US.
But you can save your loved ones from drug addiction if you recognize the earliest signs of substance abuse and stop your loved ones before the effects become devastating.
The first and foremost step to recovering from any addiction is admitting that you have a problem. However, if your loved one has recently started substance abuse, they’ll be more likely to lie and steal.
Drug addicts lie to protect themselves and steal from their family members and friends. So, if you notice money or valuable things disappearing from your house, your loved one is probably suffering from drug addiction, and they’ll be willing to do anything to get drugs.
Substance abuse will also impact other aspects of their daily life. Your loved one may leave college or lose their job, slipping further and further out of control.
If you notice your friend or family member has become secretive and avoids giving clear answers when you ask them about it, it’s another sign they’re involved in substance abuse. Drug addicts often act in unusual manners and go to great lengths to keep their addiction a secret.
U.S. state and territorial governments say the opioid crisis has cost them $630 billion since 2007 and that the cost could balloon to more than $2 trillion over the next two decades.
When an individual cannot control their use of substances, they experience significant changes in sleep patterns and their energy levels too. If your loved one sleeps at unusual hours, sleeps a lot, or stays awake all night, they might be using drugs.
Consuming opioids makes you feel calm and sleepy. But it decreases sleep quality. Heroin and certain prescription painkillers are opioids that tend to slow down the brain. They can disrupt sleeping patterns and cause the individual to feel sleepy, depressed, and tired.
On the other hand, methamphetamines, cocaine, and other stimulant drugs increase alertness, causing the substance user to go without sleep for days afterward. They also increase energy levels so that the individual may express intense amounts of energy.
People suffering from drug or alcohol addiction may experience weight fluctuations. The reason is that many substances directly impact the metabolism and appetite. So, the individual may have rapid weight loss or weight gain.
If your loved one is involved in illegal substance use, their overall appearance may also change. They’ll put less effort and time into taking care of themselves. Research also reveals that alcohol and drug addiction is also associated with malnutrition (2).
Furthermore, eating disorders can also occur along with substance abuse, leading to weight fluctuations. The color of skin and the condition of hair and nails may also change when an individual uses a substance. They’ll have dilated pupils, sores on different parts of the body, and even dental problems.
Unusual changes in mood are often associated with substance abuse. Drug addicts feel happy, energized, and comfortable when they have consumed the substance. However, as the high wears off, they’ll start to get angry, abusive, and/or depressed. Based on the quantity and frequency of the substance abused, a range of different emotions are triggered in individuals, resulting in significant mood swings.
The psychological affect of drugs and alcohol is staggering. Substance abuse can cause an individual even to change their way of living. They might stop hanging out with people they used to or stop taking part in activities they liked.
Drug and alcohol addicts start thinking about life differently and might become centered on the substance they’re using. Addiction dominates people’s lives, and substance users put drugs before their education, career, and even loved ones.
According to the US Government, drugs, specifically the opioid crisis, have cost them an estimated $630 Billion since 2007 (3). This economic cost includes healthcare, treatments, lost wages, criminal justice, and also drug-related crimes. And it’s predicted that drug abuse might cost more than $2 trillion in the next two decades.
Any Individuals suffering from addiction start acting carelessly, even though they were driven and responsible in the past. As a result, they fail to meet deadlines and finish the assigned tasks. They even fail to meet commitments and stop going to work altogether.
Substance users lose interest and may no longer enjoy the things they used to. Drug addiction overpowers rational thinking and consumes a considerable part of a person’s life. So, they end up giving little to no time to their hobbies.
Alcohol and drug addiction might be why your loved one doesn’t want to spend time with your family.
Illicit drug use can cause the user to commit crimes and criminal offenses. More than half of the people in prison are addicted to some kind of substance. In addition, it’s found that many people are under the influence of drugs when they committed a crime.
So, if your loved one has started getting into trouble recently, drug addiction may be the cause. Since drug use over time leads to tolerance, drug addiction can also lead to health problems like an overdose.
Substance users also experience loss of memory. They might not remember the good memories of the past or forgets to meet their obligations. Many illegal drugs impact the brain and cause long-term damaging effects, including memory loss.
If you have noticed any of these issues with a friend or family member, know you aren’t alone. This is a very common issue in the US today, with more and more people seeking treatment. The treatment options are now more advanced than ever, providing our clients with the best possible outcome. If you are interested in learning more about our program, contact us at Life Line Services today and let’s see what we can do for you.
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