Have you noticed any changes in your loved one’s behaviors? Are their physicalities slowly changing without explanation? These are the two general questions to ask when someone in your life is acting in a way that’s unfamiliar to you.
Be careful of misguided beliefs. A person’s behavior is viable to change with or without the use of substances. There are many forces in our lives that can control our behaviors and physical appearances. The goal of this blog is to pinpoint the forces related to drugs and alcohol and to clear up those questions you’re asking for the sake of helping the person you love.
The Physical Signs
Due to the fact that each drug works differently on the body, it’s going to be difficult to accurately determine the exact substance you may be skeptical of. The information below is based upon what common physical impacts the majority of drugs have.
Addicts commonly have irregular schedules. Since drugs cause an internal physical change, the way one’s daily agenda goes tends to circle around when they’re high or not. For example, an individual most likely isn’t going to sleep unless the high’s over. Likewise, with their appetite, a person might not eat if the substance helps them ignore hunger. If you find any irregularities in your loved one’s sleep and/or eating patterns, you have reasonable superstition.
To follow this up, you can observe their physical health. Though it tends to take some time before these signs have their impact, there’s a variety of hints you can monitor.
● A change in the eyes; a redder tone, watery, enlarged or decreased pupil size.
● Unable to properly coordinate average physical movements.
● Poor hygiene and/or health (as if one’s sick with a virus).
● Overly active or underly active.
These changes may or may not be noticeable unless one is under the influence while you’re making the observations. You’re going to want to keep a keen eye out for this because when an individual is high, their behavior will usually show it.
The Behavioral Signs
An intoxicated person will often show off differences in their mood. However, even when an addict is sober, there are indications to look out for. First, there are changes usually made in their private lives (though this may depend on the person’s age).
● More often taking to solitude (secretive) or frequently trying to stay away from home.
● A fall in school grades or work performance.
● A change in outfits and/or styles.
● A decline in one’s self-esteem and/or motivation.
Secondly, you’ll want to observe the way this person interacts with others. Whether it be you, other loved ones, friends, or even strangers.
● Are relationships damaging around the individual?
● Are they often asking for money?
● Are they noticeably forgetful or dishonest?
● Have they lost interest in other loved ones?
● Have they become oversensitive and/or sporadic?
We understand that it may seem more convenient to sit down with your loved one and properly talk out any concern. Or, better yet, have them take a drug test for safe measure. Although these tactics may give us peace of mind, many individuals struggling with addiction are unwilling to admit to their habits and will go great lengths to hide it.
This has a multitude of reasons. The prime cause being guilt. That’s why we at Stonewall Institute Treatment Center make it our goal to give you all the information sustainable for handling addiction and properly caring for it.
If your concern has discovered an addiction in a loved one, we encourage you to call us for assistance at 602-535-6468 or email us at info@stonewallinstitute.com.