Very few people who are struggling with drug addiction are willing to come right out and admit it. Often, they try to hide it as much as possible, making it difficult for loved ones to recognize the signs. Friends and family might notice something is off, but they may think nothing of it.

The cause of the drug addiction will be different for everyone, and therefore the symptoms may present themselves in different ways. That said, there are some red flags to look out for that may signal that your loved one has a substance abuse disorder.

If you spot any of these red flags, you should think about ensuring that you get as much information about Drug Rehab & Alcohol Addiction Treatment centers as possible. It’s important that you get your loved one help as soon as you can so that they can get well again.

1. Extreme weight loss

While there are many things that can cause a person to lose weight, rapid weight loss is never a good sign and usually points to a more significant issue. If your loved one is actively trying to lose weight through a diet or an exercise regime, the weight will come off slowly. Losing weight fast is not healthy and can be a sign of drug addiction. Stimulants, like methamphetamine and cocaine, are appetite suppressants, so people on these drugs don’t eat very often, if at all. With the drug consuming their lives, users will not prioritize eating, or their health, contributing to extreme weight loss. If your loved one is exhibiting these symptoms, seeking help from a drug rehab Orange County is the best course of action.

2. Poor hygiene

Similar to the above, people struggling with drug addiction will often neglect their health and well-being. With their priority being drugs, you will notice that your loved one values their hygiene less. They will shower less, smell bad, wear the same clothes all the time, and neglect to brush their teeth. Therefore, there can be noticeable signs like bad breath and plaque buildup.

3. Change in sleep patterns

Drugs alter the way the body operates, with some being uppers and others being downers. Those struggling with addiction to stimulants may have trouble sleeping, meaning they stay up through the night. Sometimes those using stimulants will be awake for days on end until their body crashes.

On the other side of the spectrum are those taking depressants, like heroin or heavy painkillers. These drugs cause users to become sluggish, low energy, and sleep all the time. Alcohol is also a depressant and can mess with the person’s sleep quality, meaning they have low energy levels throughout the day.

4. Frequent injuries

If you notice that your loved one often has bruises, cuts, wounds, or other injuries, it could be a sign they are struggling with drug addiction. Those who are taking drugs often blackout as a result. When they do so, it causes loss of motor function which can cause them to fall down a lot, bump into things, and knock things over, making it common to injure themselves. If you ask them how it happened, and they can’t explain it, it can be an indication drugs were involved.

5. Personality changes

People who have a substance abuse disorder often exhibit extreme personality changes. They may have frequent mood swings, going from excitable to extremely angry without any reason. They may lose interest in things they usually enjoyed or start avoiding friends and family. There is always a reason for an extreme personality change and drug addiction can potentially be the root cause.