Commonly Abused Drugs: What to Know?
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Addiction is a problem that affects tens of millions of Americans, the devastating and deadly effects on individuals, families and communities make it an urgent issue to identify and address. In 2020, more than 40 million people suffered from the effects of substance use, meaning that they were consuming drugs or alcohol at a harmful level. Most of these individuals will need rehabilitation and support to return to a sober life.
To help an addicted person, you must first know what signs to look for. That person might be able to conceal the signs and symptoms of addiction for a while, but not forever. If someone you care about shows the signs listed below, take action to find help for them.
Physical Signs and Symptoms of Drug Use and Addiction
Every drug creates its own symptoms. You may only see a few of the following signs, but observing them should alert you to take a closer look at this person’s health, behavior and activities.
- Bloodshot eyes
- Pupils larger or smaller than normal
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Deteriorating physical appearance or grooming
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing
- Impaired coordination or tremors
- Changes in behavior
- Lack of energy or unusual bursts of energy
Physical Harm Resulting from Addiction
Serious diseases and physical deterioration can result from the long-term use of addictive substances.
- Heart and lung damage
- Cancer
- Hepatitis and HIV
- Liver damage
- Stroke
- Tooth damage and loss
- Impaired immune system
- Kidney damage or failure
- Brain damage
Changes in Quality of Life
- Declining performance at work or school
- Deteriorating care of children, spouse or home
- Legal situations
- Traffic accidents or multiple tickets or loss of one’s license
- Arrests for drugs, disorderly conduct or assaults
- Loss of job, business or home
Behavioral or Mental Problems
An addicted person may begin showing emotional or mental changes, or their behavior may begin to drastically change. Watch for signs such as these:
- Erratic mood and behavior
- Risk-taking, such as reckless driving or promiscuity
- Being anxious, depressed, paranoid or fearful
- Suffering delusions or hallucinations
- Appearing foggy or spaced out
- Borrowing money repeatedly
- Poor memory
- Unexplained changes in friends or hobbies
Reasons Addiction May Not Be Obvious
Parents and friends may wonder why they didn’t notice a loved one’s addiction earlier. An addicted person generally takes pains to conceal their problem from others. They may not ask for help because they feel their problem is hopeless and the only thing they can do is to secretly continue to consume the substances they are addicted to.
Early in their addictions, many people are able to conceal their destructive habits. They may not have yet begun to suffer the loss of function at work and at home. It’s possible that only someone who is with this person daily would know the truth.
Many addicted people will avoid family and friends as much as possible. Sons and daughters skip family events, offering thin excuses. Eventually, they may disappear completely, not even bothering to make up excuses.
A family member that discovers that a loved one is addicted should only focus on finding an effective rehabilitation program for their loved one. No one wants to be addicted, no matter what claims the person may make. The most important thing once addiction has been identified is helping that person begin an effective rehab program that can return them to a lasting sober and productive life. In this way, they can avoid the most deadly effects of addiction.
Signs & Symptoms of Commonly Used Drugs
Adderall
Adderall is an amphetamine used for a diagnosis of ADHD. It is a psychostimulant, meaning that it stimulates the mind and body. They are also sometimes referred to as “uppers” because they have that quality to them. They produce mental alertness, wakefulness, and increased motion.
Alcohol
Alcohol is readily available and widely advertised across America but it causes as many deaths as drug overdoses. This may not be obvious because many of the deaths occur over a period of years. It’s vital to be able to identify when a person is chronically abusing alcohol.
Sleep Medications
Some people may start medicating their sleep problems and end up addicted, and others will use sleep aids to alleviate unpleasant symptoms caused by other drugs. Either way, they are becoming trapped in the use of a drug with potentially dangerous effects.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines or amphetamine-type stimulants cover a wide range of synthetically made stimulants which increase heart rate, body temperature and brain activity.
Benzodiazepines
Some people may think that it's safe to misuse benzodiazepines but it is anything but safe. Not only is addiction possible, but death by overdose from these drugs may also occur. Withdrawal from these drugs offers its own life-threatening dangers.
Cocaine
Because a cocaine user will often try to conceal their drug use, it's important for friends and family to be able to identify the signs of use. When cocaine use develops into long-term use and addiction, the signs usually become unmistakable. At that point, finding an effective rehab program is essential.
Fentanyl
The changes of the last several years must be tracked and understood if we are to reverse the terrible losses imposed on our country by those who make and traffic in fentanyl.
Heroin
A heroin user normally tries to conceal their drug use from loved ones. Therefore, family and friends often have to observe the many mental, physical and behavioral signs and symptoms of heroin use to realize the cause of their loved one’s problems.
Inhalants
Many common household chemicals can be concentrated and abused so it's no wonder that younger Americans who might not have easy access to illicit drugs are likely to try inhalents.
Ketamine
A person high on ketamine experiences distortion of sight and sound and a feeling of detachment from their own bodies, identities, and the environment. But accompanying these effects can be depression, delirium, addiction, and amnesia.
Kratom
Because kratom is legal in many U.S. states, some people could get the impression that it is a harmless drug. But since the drug has effects like respiratory depression, seizures and death, this is an erroneous impression.
Marijuana
Marijuana addiction results in profound changes to a person’s mental, physical and emotional health, meaning that a chronic user of this drug needs help as soon as their dependence is detected.
MDMA (Molly or Ecstasy)
While this drug has an undeserved reputation for “safety,” its use is associated with mental effects like depression, cognitive loss and even increased rates of suicide.
Meth/Ice/Crystal Meth
Methamphetamine can have such immediate and profound effects on a person’s physical and mental health that it’s essential to get them help as soon as the signs of meth use show up.
Methadone
Methadone is used in both the treatment of pain and the treatment of addiction. But many people misuse this long-lasting drug and wind up addicted to it, with a threat of overdose hanging over their heads every day.
Morphine
Morphine has been around for hundreds of years but it is just as much of an abused and addictive drug as any other opioid. It comes with the same dangers of overdose and the same severe symptoms of withdrawal.
Opioids
The signs and symptoms of opioid addiction are vital to identify because opioid addiction can turn deadly at any moment.
PCP
PCP first was known as a popular drug of abuse in the 1980s. Abuse of this drug began to drop off in the early 1990s. Its loss of popularity was beneficial for America and other countries because PCP can be a highly destructive drug. The technical descriptions of this drug do not do it justice.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs can help people overcome medical conditions, manage pain, and are essential for people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes. When they are abused by a person wishing to get high, they no longer help the user. In fact, they may cause unconsciousness, amnesia and death.
Psychedelics
Despite having completely unpredictable and lasting effects that can include psychosis requiring hospitalization, psychedelics use continues to be popular among some groups.
Stimulants
Here is some information on some of the major stimulants that people are using and their harmful effects and also some of the signs and symptoms of use.
Suboxone
If you’re not familiar with it, Suboxone is the brand name of a drug that is used in the treatment of opiate addiction.
Synthetic Drugs
Since there are new drugs being manufactured and sold every few days, it is impossible to provide a complete catalog of synthetics. Here you’ll find a listing of some of the drugs that may be in your area.
Xanax
Xanax is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines . These are anti-anxiety medications prescribed when people are highly stressed or having panic attacks. There are 44 million prescriptions written each year for Xanax (alprazolam), the most of any benzodiazepine.
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