A 2019 report found an estimated 14.8 million people in the US from age 12 had an alcohol use disorder. On top of that were the 8.1 million individuals who had at least one illegal drug use disorder. Illicit drug use rates also went up from 2017 to 2018 across all ages except for the 12 to 17-year-old bracket.
As if that’s not enough, drug overdoses have claimed more than 67,000 lives in the US in 2018 alone.
All that should be enough reason for you to learn how to spot the signs of addiction. This is especially true if you have a teen or young adult in your household. While anyone can develop a substance use disorder, young adults have the highest risk.
To that end, we created this guide on the telltale signs of substance addiction. Read on to discover what they are, as catching them early may be the key to saving your loved one’s life.
Understanding the Effects of Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs trigger the “reward” system of the brain by forcing it to release dopamine. Dopamine, in turn, is a neurotransmitter that affects a person’s pleasure and motivation. It’s for this reason that the use of such substances can make a person feel “euphoric.”
However, the brain can get used to the level of pleasure that these chemicals bring. This can make a person acclimatize to certain alcohol or drug doses. As a result, they may feel “inclined” to drink or take more to achieve a “rewarding” experience.
What’s more, alcohol- and drug-related dopamine release can create “reinforcement.” This can motivate a person to do something, such as drink or take drugs, over and over. This often gives way to “cravings,” which then marks the start of alcohol or drug addiction.
There’s still some good news, though. According to Sober Life Recovery, substance use disorders (SUDs) are treatable. However, early treatment for addiction is paramount, as each passing day has a risk of relapse.
This is why it’s vital to catch the signs of SUDs and intervene as soon as you can. The earlier the intervention, the sooner your loved one can be on their way to addiction recovery.
The Physical Symptoms of Addiction
They say that the eyes are the windows to one soul, and researchers say they really are. For instance, the eyes’ appearance can indicate possible alcohol or drug addiction. At the very least, how the eyes look can be a telltale symptom that a person is under the influence of a substance.
Bloodshot Eyes
Both acute alcohol use and alcohol addiction can result in eye redness. The same goes for the short-term use and long-term abuse of intoxicating drugs such as cocaine. The redness comes from how these substances make the eyes’ blood vessels expand.
Dilated Pupils
Alcohol and many drugs, like amphetamines, cocaine, and LSD, can cause the pupils to enlarge. That’s because they can impair the muscles in the iris, which control pupil size. These substances can also affect the eyes’ response to light.
Pinpoint Pupils
Fentanyl, heroin, and morphine are some types of drugs that can cause pupils to “shrink.” The pupils can become so constricted that they look like small black dots.
Note that some health conditions, such as anterior uveitis, can also lead to small pupils. However, if the reason is opioid use, the person may also display a lack of alertness or confusion. Excessive sleepiness and delirium are also common indicators of opioid use.
Abnormal Eye Movement
The use of LSD and opioids can also cause the eyes to develop abnormal movement known as “nystagmus.” Angel dust is another illicit drug that can result in abnormal eye movements.
Nystagmus can force the eyes to move up, down, side to side, or in a circle. It’s also for this reason that some people refer to this condition as “dancing eyes.”
The Behavioral Signs of Addiction
When dopamine-induced alcohol or drugs gets depleted, so does the “euphoria” it brings. This can trigger feelings of “cravings,” which, if unmet, can affect a person’s behavior. Increased irritability is often the first behavioral sign of drug or alcohol addiction,
From here, these other behavioral changes can manifest.
Anger Outbursts
Studies found that over 7% of US adults have an intermittent explosive disorder (IED). Researchers say that IED can increase a person’s risk for alcohol and drug abuse. However, alcohol and drug abuse can also give rise to anger disorders.
This can happen if a person with an addiction disorder can’t drink or take the drug they’ve been using. The effects of the substance have worn off, and their irritability can give way to anger.
Detachment and Loss of Interest
Alcohol and drugs alter how a person perceives pleasure and enjoyment. The brain can start to believe that pleasure can only come from the use of these substances. As a result, a person with an addiction disorder can lose interest in everything except the drug.
If you have a loved one with a substance use disorder, you may notice them shying away from others. They may also stop doing things they used to love, be it hobbies or sports. They may also start to isolate themselves.
Keep in mind that addiction and mental disorders often co-exist. For instance, a person may develop addiction disorder due to depression. However, a person may also develop depression as a result of a substance abuse disorder.
Please note that people with substance use disorders have a higher suicide risk. This goes up exponentially in individuals with co-existing psychological disorders.
Increase in Risky Behaviors
In the US, 30 people die each day due to vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. That’s at least 10,000 premature deaths from driving under the influence of alcohol alone.
Drug-impaired driving prevalence has also risen within the last decade. What’s more, a 2016 report found that some of the 44% of drivers who died in crashes had more than one drug in their system.
Aside from driving, substance use can also give rise to risky sexual conduct.
If you’ve noticed these behaviors in a loved one, they may have developed an addiction. Prompt intervention may make the difference between a life and death situation.
Secrecy and Denial
People with a substance use disorder often shy away from others to mask their condition. In many cases, this behavior arises from how sensitive a matter an addiction can be. They may also hide their activities in fear of becoming rejected and dejected.
Denial is also common in people with an active SUD when asked about their problems. They may also respond with anger or tears. This may trigger them to isolate themselves from their loved ones further.
Health-Related Indicators of Substance Use Disorders
Alcohol and drug abuse affect and disrupt many of the body’s physiological processes. For this reason, these disorders can have physical health manifestations. Here are some of the health-related signs that your loved one may have a substance use disorder.
Weight Loss and Weight Gain
Hallucinogens like LSD and stimulants like cocaine can cause appetite loss. Moreover, these drugs can boost metabolism and elevate energy levels. Over time, these effects can make a person with a substance use disorder to lose weight.
Long-term use of alcohol and marijuana, on the other hand, can cause weight gain. Too much alcohol, for instance, can cause fatty liver disease, which affects metabolism. Marijuana can stimulate the appetite and make a person eat more than necessary.
Frequent Stomach-Related Ailments
Alcohol and almost all commonly abused drugs can cause gastrointestinal problems. For example, cocaine and opioid use can result in stomach pain. The use of opioids can also lead to severe constipation and even acid reflux.
Sleep Disorders
Dopamine helps regulate alertness and also plays a role in the sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, repeated drug use can result in overflowing dopamine. When this happens, a person who uses drugs can develop severe sleep deprivation.
When people with an active SUD stay awake, they may spend their time taking even more drugs. So, the cycle starts again, resulting in even more sleepless nights.
If you have a loved one with insomnia, you’re likely to notice how tired they look during the day. You may also see them yawning multiple times. Their chronic lack of sleep can also make them irritable, forgetful, or unable to focus.
Do note that insomnia affects about a quarter of US adults every year. Not all who have this sleep disorder have SUDs, though, as it can be due to stress or other health issues. However, if your loved one also displays the other signs in this list, their insomnia is likely due to drug use.
Seek Help for Your Loved One With a Substance Use Disorder
If your loved one exhibits these signs of addiction, early intervention is key. You may seek help from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Either way, the most important thing is to get help for your loved one with an active SUD as soon as possible.
You can also check our site’s Health and Lifestyle sections for more helpful guides like this.