What are the Signs of Drug and Alcohol Dependence?

Symptom logy of drug dependence and alcoholism is often similar regardless of the type of drug a person ingests. Drug rehabilitation Florida, Drug treatment centers Florida, Outpatient drug rehab Florida,  Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Florida, and Outpatient rehab Florida report that the following are common signs of drug dependence and alcoholism:

Common Symptoms of Drug Dependence and Alcoholism

1.    A person negates his/her responsibilities as it pertains to work, school or home life, i.e., failing classes at school, missing work frequently, neglecting spouse and/or children

2.    A person takes high risk actions, for example, driving while intoxicated, sharing needles with others and having unsafe sex with individuals who are at risk for HIV.

3.    A person begins to have legal issues related to their drug and alcohol use, such as DWI’s, Minor in Possession, Burglary to support a drug or alcohol habit.

4.    A person begins to have problems in relationships and social situations such as arguments with friends, family and spouses regarding drug and alcohol usage.

5.    A person begins to notice that they are developing a tolerance for the drug or alcohol; Thus, requiring increased usage of drugs or alcohol to attain the same affect they previously received in smaller dosages or quantities.

6.    It becomes necessary for a person to utilize drugs or alcohol to avoid withdrawal. If an individual is forced to abstain from using the drug or alcohol for a significant period of time, they will suffer from restlessness, nausea, anxiety, depression and profuse sweating.

7.    A person loses the ability to determine how much of a substance they will ingest when they begin drinking or using the substance. The individual, regardless of their intent, has lost the ability to stop or predict how much they will ingest once they begin using or drinking.

8.    A person becomes pre-occupied with using and drinking. An over abundance of time is spent on acquiring, thinking about and recovering from the effects of drug or alcohol usage.

Warnings and Common Signs of Drug Dependence and Alcoholism

A common trait amongst individuals who suffer from alcoholism and drug dependence is a need to hide their drug and alcohol use. Outpatient drug treatment has recognized that some of the common warning signs are as follows:

Physical Warning Symptoms of Drug Dependence

1.    Increased or severely decreased pupil size that may or may not be bloodshot.

2.    Decreased appetite, sudden weight gain or loss and erratic sleep patterns.

3.    Poor hygiene and physical appearance dissipating.

4.    Slurred speech, shaking hands and severe lack of coordination.

Behavioral Warning Symptoms of Drug Dependence

1.    Work and school attendance is substantially suffering.

2.    Constant need to borrow money or sudden missing items that the person may utilize to sell for the purpose of buying drugs.

3.    Sudden change in friends, beloved hangouts, and hobbies.

4.    Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities).

Drug & Alcohol Treatment and drug rehab urge individuals who may personally or have a family member that demonstrate the above signs and symptoms, call 877 659-4555 or visit Sober Living Outpatient.