Substance Abuse Common Signs

Using alcohol or drugs does not mean that a person has a substance use disorder.  But, if a person’s use leads to problems at work or at home, or causes damage to their health, has probably become a problem and they should consider professional help.

Alcohol

Men who drink five or more standard drinks in a day and women who drink 4 or more in a day are at increased risk for alcohol-related problems.  About 3 out of every 10 American adults drink at levels that increase their risk, which may include hypertension, bleeding ulcers, sleep disorders, depression, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and some cancers.

There are two main alcohol disorders: alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.  Alcohol abuse is less severe, but can lead to physically risky behavior, interpersonal problems, inability to function appropriately at home or work, and legal troubles.  Alcohol dependence is more severe and is characterized by preoccupation with drinking, inability to cut back, and symptoms of physical need and withdrawal, including increased tolerance.

Symptoms of alcohol dependence can include: drinking alone or in secret; being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink; not remembering conversations or commitments, blacking out; making a ritual of having drinks before, with or after dinner and becoming annoyed when this ritual is disturbed or questioned; lack of interest in activities and hobbies that used to bring pleasure; feeling a need or compulsion to drink; irritability when your usual drinking time nears, especially if alcohol isn't available; keeping alcohol in unlikely places at home, at work or in the car; legal problems or problems with relationships, employment or finances; having a tolerance so that you need an increasing number of drinks to feel the effect; physical withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, sweating and shaking.

People who abuse alcohol may experience many of the same signs and symptoms, however alcohol abusers don't feel the same compulsion to drink and usually don't experience physical withdrawal symptoms.

There are many signs, both physical and behavioral, that indicate drug use. Each drug has its own symptoms or side effects. Some signs of drug abuse are:  sudden change in behavior; sudden mood swings; withdrawal from family members and/or longtime friends; carelessness about personal grooming; loss of interest in hobbies, sports, and other favorite activities; changes in sleeping patter; red or glassy eyes; runny nose

Marijuana some signs are: a heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception; poor memory; increased blood pressure and heart rate; red eyes; decreased coordination; difficulty concentrating; increased appetite; slowed reaction time; paranoid thinking.

Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines may show as:  drowsiness; slurred speech; lack of coordination; memory impairment; confusion; slowed breathing and decreased blood pressure; dizziness; depression

Amphetamines, methamphetamine, cocaine are all stimulants. Signs and symptoms of use and dependence on these drugs include:  euphoria; decreased appetite; rapid speech; irritability; restlessness; depression as the drug wears off; nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose in users who snort drugs; insomnia; weight loss; increased heart rate, blood pressure and temperature; paranoia

 Synthetic compounds, such as Ecstasy, which has both amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic effects, are included in this category.  Signs and symptoms of designer drug use vary depending on the drug. The symptoms and signs vary according to the drug abused.

Use of hallucinogens produces different signs and symptoms depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are LSD.
Signs and symptoms of LSD use include:  hallucinations; greatly impaired perception of reality, such as hearing colors; permanent mental changes in perception ; rapid heart rate; high blood pressure; tremors; flashbacks, a re-experience of the hallucinations — even years later

Signs and symptoms of PCP use include: hallucinations; euphoria; delusions; panic; loss of appetite; depression; aggressive, possibly violent behavior

Inhalants

The signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary depending on what substance is inhaled. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products.  When inhaled, these products can cause brief intoxication and a decreased feeling of inhibition. Long-term use may cause seizures and damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. Inhalant use can also cause death.

Narcotic, painkilling drugs produced naturally from opium or made synthetically, including heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone.  Signs and symptoms of use and dependence on these drugs include:  reduced sense of pain; sedation; depression; confusion; constipation; slowed breathing; needle marks (if injecting drugs)

While these are not all of the signs and symptoms they are enough to see if there is a chance of substance abuse and or addiction.  If you or someone you know show any of these signs it is imperative to seek professional help.  Substance3 addiction can lead to serious health complications and or death.  If you see any of the see any of these signs in a family member or friend consult an authority figure and seek help for the individual.  Treatment for substance3 abuse is available and the results are favorable if caught in time recovery can be complete and the individual can live a rewarding life free from addiction.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post traumatic stress disorder is an emotional illness that that is classified as an anxiety disorder and usually develops as a result of a terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise highly unsafe experience.  Sufferers experience the traumatic event or events in some way, tend to avoid places, people, or other things that remind them of the event, and are exquisitely sensitive to normal life experiences.  Although this condition has likely existed since human beings have endured trauma, Post traumatic stress disorder has only been recognized as a formal diagnosis since 1980.  In World War I, symptoms that were generally consistent with this syndrome were referred to as combat fatigue. Soldiers who developed such symptoms in World War II and many troops in Vietnam who had symptoms of what is now called post traumatic stress were diagnosed as having post Vietnam syndrome. Post traumatic stress has also been called battle fatigue and shell shocked

Post traumatic stress disorder usually results from prolonged exposure to a traumatic event or series thereof and is characterized by long-lasting problems with many aspects of emotional and social functioning.

Untreated post traumatic stress can have devastating, consequences for victim’s functioning and relationships, their families, and for society. Symptoms in women with post traumatic stress disorder who are pregnant include having other emotional problems, poor health behaviors, and memory problems. Women who were sexually abused at early ages are more likely develop post traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. Babies who are born to mothers who suffer from this illness during pregnancy are more likely to experience a change in at least one chemical in their body that predisposes the child to develop post traumatic stress disorder later in life. Individuals who suffer from this illness are at risk of having more medical problems, as well as fertility problems. Emotionally, a person may have to struggle more to achieve as good an outcome from treatment than people with other emotional problems. In children and teens, post traumatic stress disorder can have significantly negative effects on their social and emotional development, as well as on their ability to learn.
Treatments usually include psychological and medicine.  Education on the illness, helping the individual manage the trauma by talking about it directly, teaching the person ways to manage symptoms, and exploration and modification of inaccurate ways of thinking about the trauma are the usual techniques used in psychotherapy for this illness.
Teaching people with post traumatic stress disorder practical approaches to coping with what can be very intense and disturbing symptoms has been found to be effective.   Helping the person learn how to manage their anger and anxiety, improve their communication skills, and use breathing and other relaxation techniques can help individuals gain a sense of mastery over their emotional and physical symptoms.  Therapy by having the person recall their traumatic experiences using images or verbal recall while using the coping mechanisms they learned is sometimes beneficial.
Medications that have shown to be effective for managing this disorder include mood stabilizers; as well as mood stabilizers that are also antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medicines seem to be most useful in the treatment in those who suffer from agitation, dissociation, paranoia, or brief psychotic reactions. The antipsychotic medications are also being increasingly found to be helpful treatment options for managing the disorder when used in combination with an antidepressant.
Families of individuals, as well as the person, may benefit from family counseling, couple's counseling, and Parenting classes.   Family members may also be able to provide a history about the person; for example, about emotions and behaviors, drug abuse, sleeping habits, and socialization that people with the illness are unable or unwilling to share.
The sleep problems have been found to be alleviated by; rehearsing adaptive ways of coping with nightmares, training in relaxation techniques, positive self-talk, and screening for other sleep problems.

Some ways that are often suggested for patients to cope with this illness include learning more about the disorder as well as talking to friends, family, professionals, and other survivors for support.  Reducing stress by using relaxation techniques : breathing exercises, positive imager, actively participating in treatment as recommended by professionals, increasing positive lifestyle practices, exercise, healthy eating, distracting oneself through maintaining  a healthy work schedule if employed, volunteering, and decrease  negative lifestyle practices like, social isolation, working to excess, and self-destructive or suicidal behavior.

Dual Diagnosis

Dual diagnosis occurs when someone has both a mental disorder and an alcohol or drug problem. These conditions occur together frequently.

Sometimes the mental illness occurs first. This can lead people to use alcohol or drugs that make them feel better temporarily. Sometimes the substance abuse occurs first; that can lead to emotional and mental problems.   Often the psychiatric disorder develops first.  In an attempt to feel better, in an attempt to control mood changes, silence the auditory hallucinations; deal with emotional turmoil; this can lead people to use alcohol or drugs that make them feel better temporarily.  When a person with emotional symptoms drinks or uses drugs; doctors call this self-medication.  Frequent self-medication may eventually lead to physical or psychological dependency on alcohol or drugs.  If it does, the person then suffers from not just one problem, but two.  In adolescents, however, drug or alcohol abuse may merge and continue into adulthood, which may contribute to the development of emotional difficulties or psychiatric disorders.  In these cases, alcohol or drug dependency is the primary condition.  A person whose substance abuse use has become severe may develop symptoms of a psychiatric disorder:  perhaps episodes of depression, manic rage, hallucinations, or suicide attempts.

To get better, someone with a dual diagnosis must treat both conditions. First, the person must go for a period of time without using alcohol or drugs. This is called detoxification; rehabilitation for the substance abuse and treatment for the mental disorder.  Both illnesses should be treated concurrently.  For any substance abuser, however, detoxification should take place under medical supervision.  It can take a few days to a week or more, depending on what substances the person abused and for how long.  Doctors are able to give hospitalized substance abusers medications which can significantly ease withdrawal symptoms.  When detoxification is done under medical supervision, it’s safer and less traumatic.

Once detoxification is completed, dual treatment; rehabilitation for the alcohol or drug problem and treatment for the psychiatric problem is started and a maintenance treatment plan is established.

Rehabilitation for a substance abuser usually involves individual and group psychotherapy, instruction on alcohol and drugs, exercise, proper nutrition, and participation in a recovery program. 

Treatment for a psychiatric disorder depends upon the diagnosis.  For most disorders, individual and group therapy as well as medications are utilized.  A support group of other people who are recovering from the same condition has shown to be effective. 

The more that is known about dual diagnosis, it is easier to understand how substance abuse can coexist with another psychiatric condition.  A person with dual diagnosis can improve once proper care is given.  By seeking out information, you can learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of dual diagnosis and possibly help someone live a healthier and rewarding life.