Symptoms of Drug Abuse

[rangerrebew]

Symptoms of Drug Abuse

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By Dr Ananya Mandal, MD

Drug abuse leads to symptoms of drug dependence and addiction. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, drug or substance abuse tends to be recurrent and may cause severe damage and harm to the body in the short or long term. While some of the damage is physical, there may also be a social element, with the individual failing to fulfil their responsibilities in life and having difficulty with family relationships. Drug abuse also leads to risky and dangerous behaviors.

Some of the symptoms and consequences of drug abuse include:

http://www.news-medical.net/health/Symptoms-of-Drug-Abuse.aspx

[Smokin Joe]

It sorta left out gross personality changes, changes in activity patterns, and changes in social contact groups. This is something especially to be alert to and aware of with teenagers. Even 'high functioning' users will show all three to some extent. Although other factors may apply (puberty is a b**dh), noticing the changes might give someone a chance to catch their kid before things start to really get nasty.
Never say 'it can't happen with my kid', but keep in mind accusing someone who isn't using might backfire at that age, and just might tick them off enough to get them to try something they haven't.
 The biggest change an addict undergoes as they get hooked is that they don't care about anything (or anyone) but the drug(s), with some 'caring' for buddies who use (who are often a source).
The complicating factor is that with puberty, interests and  peer groups commonly change anyway. But when kids quit caring about the basic things they used to care deeply about without replacing them with something else that seems like the next normal step, or having a reason for turning away from longstanding friends, there may be a problem.