Addiction is an alarmingly common problem, affecting millions of people in the United States. To make matters worse, addiction doesn’t just cause harm to the addicted individuals themselves. Friends and family members also suffer. It could be your teenage son or daughter, your brother or sister, or even a parent who suffers from substance addiction. Nobody wants to watch someone they care for destroy their life and their self. If you suspect that someone you love has a problem with addiction and you want to help, here are four physical signs to look for:
Significant Weight Loss
Substance abuse often results in a diminished appetite, which can trigger dramatic weight loss over a short period of time. People with severe addictions may rapidly lose muscle mass and body fat, causing them to appear as though they’re wasting away. In extreme cases, they may develop a bony or skeletal appearance.
Scabs and Scars
Several commonly abused substances will cause crawling burning feelings in the skin or excessive itching upon withdrawal, which may cause the addicted person to scratch and pick at themselves until wounds develop. These injuries are typically located on the face and arms but may also be on hidden areas of the body. Restlessness due to over-stimulation may also trigger this behavior.
Another physical sign to look for is needle tracks, which appear as elongated, reddened marks on the inner forearm or other common injection sites. These occur from repeated use of injected substances and are the result of venous collapse, which renders those veins useless for injection. Eventually, this can drive addicts to inject in increasingly bizarre areas, like between the toes and in the neck. In some cases, these injuries may become infected, requiring immediate medical attention.
Withdrawal Symptoms
One of the most noticeable indicators of drug addiction is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. These are often obvious, even when no other signs are present. Someone who is addicted to a substance will be unable to go for long periods without another fix. When they don’t get another dose, any number of behavioral or mood changes will occur. The person may suffer from unexplained panic attacks or anxiety, which may make them try to avoid all interaction. They may also become uncharacteristically irritable or hostile, sometimes to the point of losing their temper or getting into legal trouble. In addition, you may notice profuse sweating, tremors, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, depression, and sometimes seizures.
Haggard Appearance
An individual with a severe addictions may exhibit a worsening of their appearance over time. Substance abuse is very harsh on the body and addicts are often lacking in healthy lifestyle habits. Someone with a drug problem may appear haggard and worn, often looking significantly older than they are.
Addiction is a difficult hurdle to overcome, but with your help and support, there is hope for your loved one. Sit down and have a talk with them, then suggest some reputable drug rehabs they could to to for professional treatment. Rehabilitation is made much easier when the addicted individual has the support of loved ones to bolster them through recovery.
Comments are closed.