How to recognize the signs of drug
addiction:
One of the most important signs of drug addiction
is continued use of drugs despite experiencing
serious negative consequences. Often, a person will blame other
people or circumstances for her or his problems rather than accepting
that the difficulties are the result of drug use. These false beliefs
are called denial, and denial is part of the disease
of addiction.
Other signs and symptoms of drug addiction and alcoholism
include:
- Tolerance
- The person needs increasingly
larger amounts of alcohol or drugs to get high.
- Cravings
-
The person feels a strong need, desire, or urge to use alcohol
or drugs. And he or she will use drugs or alcohol despite negative
consequences.
- Loss of Control
- The
person will take more drugs than she or he meant to, or may use
at a time or place that had not been planned. The person may try
to reduce or stop using drugs many times, but fail.
- Physical Dependence or Withdrawal-
In some, but not all,
cases when an addicted person attempts to stop using drugs they
may experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms differ
depending on the drug, but they may include nausea, sweating ,
shakiness or extreme anxiety.
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