Know the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use

Drug use in the US

The common misconception with drug use in the US today is that it either involves the distribution, trafficking, and abuse of illegal substances or that it is confined to specific socioeconomic groups. Unfortunately, you cannot define the characteristics of drug use that easily. Drug use is not selective. It affects a wide range of individuals from all walks of life regardless of age, economic status, gender, or religion. No one is immune to the potential dangers and suffering associated with drug use and addiction or dependency.

In many instances, drug use begins innocently out of curiosity and experimentation or by peer pressure. For some of these individuals, the use of a particular substance becomes a habit which ultimately becomes extremely difficult to break. The substance is used more frequently as time passes and eventually the person becomes addicted or develops an uncontrollable dependency on that substance. Sooner or later, the person will need the professional help of an addiction treatment and recovery facility.

Recognizing the signs and symptoms

No matter what substance you are abusing, there will be certain behaviors and warning signs that indicate the person is using drugs. These behaviors and warning signs include:

• failing to stop using the substance or constant relapsing back into drug abuse, addiction, or dependency
• feeling that you cannot cope with everyday pressures and stress without using the drug
• focusing more energy into keeping the drug on hand while shirking other obligations and responsibilities
• making sure that you always have the drug on hand
• participating in illegal or unacceptable behavior in order to obtain the drug
• spending money on your substance of choice even when you cannot afford to do so
• taking dangerous risks when you are under the influence of the drug such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy duty equipment
• the feeling that you cannot get through the day without using the drug

Although these are the basic signs and symptoms of drug use, there are other more specific “red flags” to be aware of based on the addiction or dependency the individual is suffering with. Specific signs and symptoms of drug abuse, addiction, and dependency will vary depending on the particular substance you favor. The bottom line is that it is the physical behavior and signs that indicate when drug use is present.

Drug use in teenagers

One of the more significant areas of drug use that appears to be growing in frightening numbers is the use of substances in adolescents and teenagers in the 12 to 19 age bracket. It is sometimes difficult for parents to accept and cope with the fact that their child has started using drugs. Additionally, many parents have a difficult time recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug use in there pre-teen or teenager until it is almost too late.

Parents have to distinguish between what is typical teenage moodiness that occurs as the individual is growing up through this age bracket and behavior that is associated with drug use. The following are possible indicators that adolescents and teenagers are using drugs:

Changes in behavior – granted, teenagers get to a point in their lives where they want some privacy, but when that demand for privacy becomes exaggerated and the teen attempts to bar a parent’s entrance into their room, this should be considered as a warning sign. Additionally, whenever there is a drastic behavior and relationship changes with family members and friends, this is also an indicator of possible drug use.

Neglected appearance – most teenagers at some point in their lives become extremely conscious of how they look to others, especially female teenagers. When a teen begins to show a lack of interest in their clothing, grooming, hygiene, or overall appearance this is one of the signs and symptoms of drug use.

Physical health issues – another indicator of drug use is a lack of physical energy or motivation for participating in certain activities.

Problems at school – another key indicator of drug use is cutting classes or missing a full day of school altogether, dropping grades, and a sudden lack of interest in school activities or school in general.

Spending money – if your child begins requesting money regularly without providing a valid explanation of what it is for may be one of the signs and symptoms of drug use. Another indicator is that money is missing because the teen may be stealing from you. Items, possessions, or valuables may disappear because the teen is stealing them from you to sell them for drugs.

Current drug use statistics in the US

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are a number of key facts and statistics regarding drug use that people should be aware of:

•  20% of children who are leaving the 8th grade have tried marijuana
• 25% of the total deaths in the US are associated with substance use
• 65% of the addicts today have access to drugs via their family members and friends
• 75% of all domestic violence cases in the US is attributed to alcohol and drug abuse
• drug users account for nearly 530,000 ER visits every year
• medical care costs for the individual that uses drugs is three times what it is for the non-user
• next to alcohol, the most commonly used drug among the youth of the US is marijuana
• the average age of a person when they first experiment with alcohol or drugs is 12½ years

These numbers are based on addiction treatment and recovery facility admissions for individuals between the ages of 18 and 64.

We are here to help you

The Delray Recovery Center is here to help you or a loved one if you are suffering with an alcohol or drug problem. We have some of the most effective addiction treatment and recovery programs in the US.