Signs of Drug Abuse, and Prevention

However the effects of certain drugs may go unnoticed such as tobacco and marijuana. Even parents, and close friends may not be aware that a person is abusing drugs. Many drug abusers keep these activities secret from everyone. Long absences from school or work, sharp drops in school, or job performance, may indicate drug abuse. Sudden personality changes may also be a clue,but such transformations often occur without any type of drugs. Just a natural process.

Many addicts spend so much time under the influence of drugs that they neglect their health, work, family, and friends. They find it quite difficult to handle any responsibilities, and keep a job. They don't eat well, or maintain personal cleanliness. As a result, many suffer from malnutrition. Personality, and behavioral problems can, and do occur.

Many people want to experiment with drugs out of curiosity, for a thrill, or as an expression of rebellion. or are under pressure to try them because their friends do drugs. Their friends do, so they do, peer pressure, or just wanting to fit in "with the crowd. "They continue to use drugs because they want a pleasurable change in their state of mind. This change may range from a mild "lift" to an intense" high", or the feeling of euphoria. Others turn to drugs to escape depression, or many other personal problems, including difficulties with their school work, jobs, and family.

For most drug addicts, their chief goal in life is obtaining more drugs. Narcotics cannot be obtained legally without a physician's prescription, but they may be bought illegally off the street at extremely high prices. Some addicts turn to crime, such as robbery, and prostitution to support their drug habit.

For an addict drug use is more than a habit. The craving for the drug also involves physical dependence. An addicts body depends on a drug so greatly that a painful withdrawal illness results if the drug is not used. Such as  aching muscles, chills, fever, runny nose and eyes, stomach cramps, migraines, general body weakness, and could lead to severe convulsions and high fever. Addicts also develope a tolerance to the drug, and so doses that once satisfied the craving no longer do so. They need larger, and larger doses to achieve the same effect, or same 'high'.

It is easier to prevent drug abuse than to stop the practice after it has started. Many people who abuse drugs began to do so in their teens, or early 20"s. Parents of teenagers should establish reasonable guidelines of behavior, and discuss drug abuse openly with their children. Parents should also set an example for their children by not abusing drugs themselves.

If a person you love develops a drug abuse problem, seek help from a professional counselor, physician, or community organization or treatment center that provides such assistance. Usually all of the professionals listed work hand in hand in to not only get your loved one clean, and drug free but they help them rehabilitate themselves so they can remain drug free, maintain a job, and place of residence, face responsibilities head on, and give them hope, and support for their future.