A couple friends of my husband’s and mine had a drug problem; they were addicted to prescription drugs. Would you be able to recognize the symptoms of drug abuse if you knew someone who might have a problem? Since our friends live over 1000 miles away from us, we didn’t get a chance to recognize them, but they were lucky enough to find help before it was too late.
If you are using drugs, be it illegal drugs, illegally acquired prescription drugs, or even legally acquired prescription drugs, there is always a risk of addiction. Know the signs of drug abuse, and get yourself help. Even legal prescription drugs can be abused, and many people don’t even realize they have a problem. Their thinking is that it can’t be a problem because they aren’t doing anything illegal. Legality is not the issue, addiction is addiction any way you slice it.
Alcohol abuse, especially among teenagers, is a growing problem. The occasional glass of wine or beer is probably not going to hurt you, but how do you know when you have a problem? Would you even be able to recognize it as a problem? This might be hard for many, especially since so many drug and alcohol abusers justify their use, making it seem rational and normal to them. Here is an article that lists thirteen signs of alcohol abuse and drug addiction. If you or a loved one uses drugs or alcohol and shows these signs, look for help. Recognizing you have a problem is the first step towards getting help, and there is no shame in that. You are not alone.
August 26th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
I like these words you mentioned, "Legality is not the issue, addiction is addiction any way you slice it." and it's so true, many times people taking the legal drug or people around them won't think much of it.
August 27th, 2008 at 1:56 am
Very good post. We've found the increase in depression correlates with the increase in substance abuse. Coincidence?
Thanks,
Dr Andrew Power
August 28th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Fitness, they don't think much of it because it's not technically illegal. It's like saying that drinking too much isn't a problem if you aren't drunk in public or drunk driving... we all know that's not true, but we don't apply that logic to prescription drugs.
Dr. Power, I know and knew people who fit that correlation all too well.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Nice post. Keep it up Doc
September 1st, 2008 at 4:48 am
it can't be easy addicted to drugs, i've never been in that position nor do i know anyone luckily but i can only imagine.
Regards.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 am
Noah, I'm not a doctor
Kevin, I have never been in that position myself, but I have known people who have and it's very scary.
November 24th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I've volunteered a lot of my time in treatment centers trying to help many addicts stop their abuse with drugs or alcohol. I've found many of them never knew what alcohol abuse effects. Even more of them told me they had seen a counselor about drug abuse in the 6 months prior to attending the treatment center I worked at. It's very important that if someone you know is abusing drugs or alcohol that you get them the help they need right away. Before you know it, it's too late and they will either deal with detox or death. Help them make the right choice.
December 7th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
I was an alcoholic for 14 years and i was powerless over alcohol and after 14 years i admitted that my lives had became unmanageable.Then i joined A.A group and a tlast i made it now,i am sober.Thanks for this post.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Prescription drug abuse is especially difficult to battle when you notice your loved one has become addicted yet they are in complete denial. Just as in your article, my sister believed that because a doctor kept prescribing the narcotics for her pain that she couldn't have a problem. Thank God that she finally admitted to the addiction and got the help she needed.
December 15th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Deepak, congratulations to you! It must be very freeing to overcome such a strong addiction.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:28 am
1.Slowed or staggering walk; poor physical coordination.
2. Red, watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare.
3. Cold, sweaty palms; shaking hands.
4. Puffy face, blushing or paleness.
5. Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes.
6. Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness.
7. Runny nose; hacking cough.
8. Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
9. Tremors or shakes of hands, feet or head.
10. Needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet.
These are ten signs and want to know more.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I have a few friends that have had the occasional "One too many". Most of them usually either ended falling over bar stools or acted overly foolish but nothing has gone too extreme. I agree, it is important to recognizing the differences between having a few drinks and having a good time to something that now happens all the time and affects not only the drinker but their family as well.
March 9th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Hi Stephanie,
It is not so easy for everyone to identify these symptoms. Thank you for sharing this wonderful information with us. Keep writing. God bless you!
March 20th, 2009 at 3:42 am
Experimentation with alcohol and drugs during adolescence is common. Unfortunately, teenagers often don't see the link between their actions today and the consequences tomorrow. They also have a tendency to feel indestructible and immune to the problems that others experience.Using alcohol and tobacco at a young age has negative health effects.
June 17th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Alcohol and drug, two most dreadful killers, along with smoking. I was so lucky to find a man who don't have all these bad habits. If someone always like to hang out in the night, it's pretty sure not something too good.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I think there are a lot of situations out there where a person has a drug or alcohol problem and their loved one's or friends are in fact aware of the problem, but refuse to acknowledge that there is a problem.
The sad part is that someone might recognize that their friend or loved one has an alcohol or drug problem and try to intervene, but ultimately it is up to the abuser to acknowledge that they have a problem and must do something about it.
If the abuser does not acknowledge the problem, then you are fighting a loosing battle.
August 15th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Prescription drug abuse and alcohol abuse are two things that kind of just sneak up on you. I have had friends that just started to party just a little harder than usually and then sooner than later, they just drink to keep the fun flowing, 24/7 and then it's up to us to tell them, "This is not working. Stop this. Now."
- Kristina
August 25th, 2009 at 6:52 am
@Deepak, gratz m8, I'am still strugling, but nice to know that some make it through.
//John
September 12th, 2009 at 3:18 am
You are absolutely true.People especially teenagers never acknowledge their problems and they always try to justify their activities telling that they consume alcohols only at occasions.But they don't understand that they are getting addict to them as they grow.May be this article helps such people a lot to understand themselves.
Thanks for the information.