How do you know when a friend or family member is addicted to a drug? Maybe you've noticed them acting strangely. A child is coming home after curfew with new friends you've never met. A spouse seems tired all the time and is hiding something, but they just won't tell you what.
If your loved one has become addicted to drugs or alcohol, sometimes they will come right out and tell you, but many times they won't. In these situations, they may even lie to you and tell you that nothing is going on. Luckily, there are several physical signs that can indicate someone is addicted to a drug. In Part 1 of this post, we'll look at two major physical signs that someone has become addicted.
While no single sign here means that the person is definitely using drugs, many drug use indications added together could provide strong evidence.
The Eyes of Someone Addicted
Many drugs have a physical and easily observable effect on the human eye. Marijuana, for example, can give the user bloodshot eyes. This is because marijuana increases the user's blood pressure and creates other changes in the eye's blood vessels. There are several other reasons the person could have red eyes, but in combination with other physical indicators this can be a first sign of drug use.
Another sign you can look for is how dilated or constricted the person's pupils are. The pupil is the black hole in the middle of the eye, and under normal circumstances the eye muscle around it will get smaller (constrict) or get bigger (dilate) in order to let less or more light into the eye.
Certain drugs can cause the pupil to excessively contract or dilate and stay that way no matter how much light shines on the person's eyes. Cocaine, for example, can cause the user's pupils to constrict. Marijuana and LSD will cause the user's pupils to dilate. Ecstasy can cause profound pupil dilation, and antidepressants can cause mild pupil dilation, too.
As so many types of drugs will affect how the eye looks and acts, it's often a good first place to examine when you're looking for signs of drug use or addiction.
Addiction Leads to Weight Gained and Weight Loss
Another strong sign of drug use can be a major shift in a person's weight. Several drugs can suppress a person's appetite and make them forget to eat. Meth is one such drug. As an addict continues to neglect proper nutrition, the body will begin to feed on itself, using up fat stores and then breaking down muscle tissue. This creates a gaunt, skeletal appearance in many addicts. In addition to meth, several other drugs, such as heroin, can also cause extreme weight loss.
While weight loss is much more well-known as an indication, weight gain can actually be a sign of drug use, too. A number of prescription drugs, including antidepressants, can cause a person to start gaining weight. This is due to several complex chemical reactions within the body, but several of these drugs can affect a person's appetite and metabolism and cause them to overindulge on food. If someone you know has started abusing prescription drugs, overeating and weight gain could be one sign.
In Part 2 of this post, we'll examine more physical signs of drug use.
References:
Marijuana Use and Bloodshot Eyes: http://drugabuse.com/library/symptoms-and-signs-of-drug-abuse/
Physical Effect of Marijuana on the Eye: http://www.gmu.edu/resources/facstaff/facultyfacts/1-2/grass.html
Cocaine Use and Constricted Pupils: http://www.ehow.com/how_2153953_recognize-cocaine-addiction.html
Drugs that Cause the Eye to Dilate: http://io9.com/5966571/why-do-your-pupils-get-larger-when-youre-on-drugs
Meth and Weight Loss: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
Meth Causing Body to Feed on Itself: http://www.methproject.org/answers/why-are-meth-users-so-thin.html#The-Meth-Diet
Heroin and Weight Loss: http://heroininfo.org/heroin_signs.html
Prescription Drugs and Weight Gain: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20545602,00.html