What are the signs of drug abuse?

One of the stages leading to addiction is problem use of drugs or alcohol. At this stage, a person begins to suffer the negative effects of their substance use, such problems with relationships, job attendance and performance, DUIs, health, and legal problems.

Specific physical symptoms of drug abuse vary from drug-to-drug.

Here are some common examples:

Marijuana: reddened whites of eyes, sleepiness, excessive hunger, lack of motivation, excessive happiness, paranoia
Cold medications: sleepiness, rapid or slowed heart rate
Inhalants: runny nose, smell of gasoline or other solvent, confusion or irritability
Depressants: sleepiness, lowered inhibitions, poor coordination, slowed heart rate or blood pressure, coma or death
Stimulants: rapid heart rate or blood pressure, irritability, excessive happiness, less need for sleep, paranoia, seizures
Narcotics: less experiencing of pain, excessive happiness, sleepiness, slowed or stopped breathing, coma, death in overdose
Hallucinogens: trouble sleeping, blurred perceptions, paranoia
Dissociative anesthetics (such as ketamine): increased blood pressure and heart rate, memory loss, nausea and vomiting, irritability, aggressiveness
Club drugs (for example, Ecstasy and GHB): feverish teen that does not sweat, finding multiple lollipops or other hard candies, the teen seeming to love everyone and/or have an excessively happy mood (euphoria)

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Questions:

Who becomes addicted to drugs? What is the difference between abuse and addiction? Can you get hooked on any drug? Am I dependent or addicted? My doctor gives me the prescriptions, so how can I be addicted? What are the signs of addiction? What are triggers? What are the signs of drug abuse? What are the warning signs of drug and alcohol use? (for parents) What are the warning signs of relapse? Why do teens abuse drugs? What are the symptoms of withdrawal? What are the stages of addiction? Should I have a relapse plan? What is the cycle of addiction in teens? What drugs are most commonly used? What is detox? What is an intervention? Is intervention helpful for all addicts? I’m addicted to both drugs and alcohol, isn’t that too difficult to treat? Aren’t there only a few ways to treat addiction?