DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT

About 3% of the U.S. population, some 7.5 million people, required treatment for illicit drug use
in 2007, per a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA). The chart below shows the breakout by type of addiction for those
who actually sought treatment for drug addiction, and includes the 20 million people who needed
help for alcohol abuse as well. The need for treatment for heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and a
growing number of opiate pain relievers and sleep aids is growing across the United States, and
no community is immune. Nearly 10% of all American high school children have tried “hard”
drugs like cocaine, and almost 2 million people are addicted to prescription drugs like Valium
and Oxycontin.

2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

There are many types of programs for drug addiction, many means to “get clean.”  Generally, a
combination of means is used, such as detoxification followed by counseling and referral to a
support group. As shown below, a majority of people who sought help for drug addiction tried
self-help or group support programs, but these, while they can be very powerful in sustaining an
addict’s resolve, are not comprehensive. Drug addiction treatment, to be truly effective, must
address all components of the addiction, both physical and emotional. The physical addiction
alone can be very destructive to the human body, while the psychological dependency is nearly
impossible to break without extensive counseling and behavior modification along with a
supportive environment that discourages relapse.

2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: National Findings

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Medical evaluation and treatment are key components of any effective drug addiction treatment
program. Support groups, no matter how effective, do not address the often life-threatening
issues of withdrawal once the decision to get clean has been made, and some addictions will
require inpatient care. The simple fact of addiction to most drugs, especially modern opiates, is
that willpower alone is just not enough to kick the habit. The very physical hold that drugs obtain
comes from chemical changes within the brain. To break that physical dependency requires
medical supervision, administration of substitute drugs like benzodiazepines, and inpatient or
outpatient treatment of withdrawal symptoms. While the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000
allows certified doctors to administer drugs like buprenorphine for opiate addiction on an
outpatient, office-visit basis, in most states only a handful of doctors have obtained this
certification, and many of those have limited experience with treating opioid addictions. Also,
not all patients are candidates for this type of treatment for drug addiction, and many dodge the
follow-up counseling required by law, reducing its effectiveness.

Evaluation of the Buprenorphine Waiver Program

Results from SAMHSA/CSAT’s Evaluation of the Buprenorphine Waiver Program
The College on Problems of Drug Dependence, June 20, 2005

The chart above shows that many physicians certified to administer buprenorphine were using it
for detoxification alone, and noticed good results only when used longer than a month. There is
no quick and easy cure. Professional counseling is usually in order to get at the psychological
component of drug addiction. Treatment that includes counseling and behavior modification is
more effective over the long run than simple detoxification and abstinence alone. Addicts
looking to really kick the habit need to investigate programs that offer all the components, not a
quick fix or a maintenance program that just substitutes one drug for another.
What are the Alcoholism Facts?

There are many different characterizations which determine alcoholism, and we offer a great
many alcoholism facts about this and many other factors. 
A person is said to be alcoholic if they have a strong desire for alcohol.  65% of the population
consume alcohol, but only 10% of those drinkers drink a massive half of all alcohol consumed in
this country.
An alcoholic is unable to stop drinking once they have begun.  Nearly half of the population of
adults in America have a close member of their family who have suffered or do suffer from
alcoholism.
Drug Abuse in India

June 26 is celebrated as International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking every year.
It is an exercise undertaken by the world community to sensitize the people in general and the
youth in particular, to the menace of drugs. The picture is grim if the world statistics on the drugs
scenario is taken into account. With a turnover of around $500 billions, it is the third largest
business in the world, next to petroleum and arms trade. About 190 million people all over the
world consume one drug or the other. Drug addiction causes immense human distress and the
illegal production and distribution of drugs have spawned crime and violence worldwide. Today,
there is no part of the world that is free from the curse of drug trafficking and drug addiction.
Millions of drug addicts, all over the world, are leading miserable lives, between life and death.
India too is caught in this vicious circle of drug abuse, and the numbers of drug addicts are
increasing day by day. According to a UN report, One million heroin addicts are registered in
India, and unofficially there are as many as five million. What started off as casual use among a
minuscule population of high-income group youth in the metro has permeated to all sections of
society. Inhalation of heroin alone has given way to intravenous drug use, that too in
combination with other sedatives and painkillers. This has increased the intensity of the effect,
hastened the process of addiction and complicated the process of recovery. Cannabis, heroin, and
Indian-produced pharmaceutical drugs are the most frequently abused drugs in India. Cannabis
products, often called charas, bhang, or ganja, are abused throughout the country because it has
attained some amount of religious sanctity because of its association with some Hindu deities.
The International Narcotics Control Board in its 2002 report released in Vienna pointed out that
in India persons addicted to opiates are shifting their drug of choice from opium to heroin. The
pharmaceutical products containing narcotic drugs are also increasingly being abused. The
intravenous injections of analgesics like dextropropoxphene etc are also reported from many
states, as it is easily available at 1/10th the cost of heroin. The codeine-based cough syrups
continue to be diverted from the domestic market for abuse

Drug abuse is a complex phenomenon, which has various social, cultural, biological,
geographical, historical and economic aspects. The disintegration of the old joint family system,
absence of parental love and care in modern families where both parents are working, decline of
old religious and moral values etc lead to a rise in the number of drug addicts who take drugs to
escape hard realities of life. Drug use, misuse or abuse is also primarily due to the nature of the
drug abused, the personality of the individual and the addict's immediate environment. The
processes of industrialization, urbanization and migration have led to loosening of the traditional
methods of social control rendering an individual vulnerable to the stresses and strains of modern
life. The fast changing social milieu, among other factors, is mainly contributing to the
proliferation of drug abuse, both of traditional and of new psychoactive substances. The
introduction of synthetic drugs and intravenous drug use leading to HIV/AIDS has added a new
dimension to the problem, especially in the Northeast states of the country.
Drug abuse has led to a detrimental impact on the society. It has led to increase in the crime rate.
Addicts resort to crime to pay for their drugs. Drugs remove inhibition and impair judgment
egging one on to commit offences. Incidence of eve- teasing, group clashes, assault and
impulsive murders increase with drug abuse. Apart from affecting the financial stability,
addiction increases conflicts and causes untold emotional pain for every member of the family.
With most drug users being in the productive age group of 18-35 years, the loss in terms of
human potential is incalculable. The damage to the physical, psychological, moral and
intellectual growth of the youth is very high. Adolescent drug abuse is one of the major areas of
concern in adolescent and young people's behavior. It is estimated that, in India, by the time most
boys reach the ninth grade, about 50 percent of them have tried at least one of the gateway drugs.
However, there is a wide regional variation across states in term of the incidence of the substance
abuse. For example, a larger proportion of teens in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh use
gateway drugs (about 60 percent in both the states) than Uttar Pradesh or Haryana (around 35
percent). Increase in incidences of HIV, hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis due to addiction adds
the reservoir of infection in the community burdening the health care system further. Women in
India face greater problems from drug abuse. The consequences include domestic violence and
infection with HIV, as well as the financial burden. Eighty seven per cent of addicts being treated
in a de-addiction center run by the Delhi police acknowledged being violent with family
members. Most of the domestic violence is directed against women and occurs in the context of
demands for money to buy drugs. At the national level, drug abuse is intrinsically linked with
racketeering, conspiracy, corruption, illegal money transfers, terrorism and violence threatening
the very stability of governments.

India has braced itself to face the menace of drug trafficking both at the national and
international levels. Several measures involving innovative changes in enforcement, legal and
judicial systems have been brought into effect. The introduction of death penalty for drug-related
offences has been a major deterrent. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985,
were enacted with stringent provisions to curb this menace. The Act envisages a minimum term
of 10 years imprisonment extendable to 20 years and fine of Rs. 1 lakh extendable up to Rs. 2
lakhs for the offenders. The Act has been further amended by making provisions for the
forfeiture of properties derived from illicit drugs trafficking. Comprehensive strategy involving
specific programmes to bring about an overall reduction in use of drugs has been evolved by the
various government agencies and NGOs and is further supplemented by measures like education,
counseling, treatment and rehabilitation programmes. India has bilateral agreements on drug
trafficking with 13 countries, including Pakistan and Burma. Prior to 1999, extradition between
India and the United States occurred under the auspices of a 1931 treaty signed by the United
States and the United Kingdom, which was made applicable to India in 1942. However, a new
extradition treaty between India and the United States entered into force in July 1999. A Mutual
Legal Assistance Treaty was signed by India and the United States in October 2001. India also is
signatory to the following treaties and conventions:
1961 U.N. Convention on Narcotic Drugs
1971 U.N. Convention on Psychotropic Substances
1988 U.N. Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
2000 Transnational Crime Convention
The spread and entrenchment of drug abuse needs to be prevented, as the cost to the people,
environment and economy will be colossal. The unseemly spectacle of unkempt drug abusers
dotting lanes and by lanes, cinema halls and other public places should be enough to goad the
authorities to act fast to remove the scourge of this social evil. Moreover, the spread of such
reprehensible habits among the relatively young segment of society ought to be arrested at all
cost. There is a need for the government enforcement agencies, the non-governmental
philanthropic agencies, and others to collaborate and supplement each other's efforts for a
solution to the problem of drug addiction through education and legal actions.
Practically every country has its own substance abuse problem to

If you are suffering from an addiction, we can help you get the drug addiction treatment you
desperately need in order to recover. Recovery Connection's® website and our 24-hour helpline
are dedicated to helping YOU.
Right now, you may be feeling scared and overwhelmed. You have an addiction you can't
control. You've hit rock bottom and recovering from that is not easy. But, while recovery can be
challenging, it is a possibility. Call 1-800-993-3869 to find drug addiction treatment centers near
you.
Nationally Recognized Drug Addiction Treatment
Recovery Connection® has received national recognition for helping people throughout the
United States locate reputable, state-of-the-art drug addiction treatment centers, drug
rehabilitation programs and addiction treatment resources. It’s our singular purpose to help those
suffering from drug addiction, alcoholism and associated disorders get the treatment they need.
With thousands of drug rehabilitation programs throughout the nation, it can be quite difficult to
decide which one will provide the best drug addiction treatment for you or your loved one. By
matching your actual treatment needs with the drug rehabilitation services provided in the center,
our staff will help you locate the rehabilitation program that can provide you with the best
possible treatment outcome.
Understanding the Differences in Drug Addiction Treatment Centers
All drug addiction treatment centers are a little different. Some specialize in providing treatment
for special populations, some provide on-site detox services and some will accept health
insurance, while others require you to pay privately for care. This process can be frustrating and
time consuming. Allow us to be of service to you and your family during this trying time. We
can effectively find the perfect drug rehabilitation center for you. In addition, Recovery
Connection® serves as a complete addiction, dual diagnosis and psychiatric recovery resource
guide for any information you may require regarding drug addiction, alcohol abuse, dual
diagnosis and associated issues. The more informed you are regarding this illness or drug
addiction treatment in general, the better off you will be.
Recovery Connection® specializes in helping those in need of addiction treatment get the care
that’s necessary for long-term recovery. Some of the programs we can successfully locate for
you include:
Addiction Treatment Programs 
Drug Rehab Programs
Alcohol Rehab Programs
Drug Detox Programs
Alcohol Detox Programs
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs
Eating Disorder Programs
GLBT Addiction Treatment and Detox Programs
GLBT Drug Rehab and Detox Programs
GLBT Alcohol Rehab and Detox Programs 
Drug Addiction Treatment and Healthcare Coverage
One of the key factors in locating a drug addiction treatment program that can benefit someone is
determining if a person can afford the treatment at that particular facility. While some people
may be financially challenged and have to seek treatment at public addiction treatment centers,
others are able to afford private drug addiction treatment services through their insurance or by
paying privately. As stated earlier, some drug rehabilitation programs take private insurance and
some do not. By allowing us to verify your "actual" healthcare benefits, we can locate a drug
addiction treatment center where you can take full advantage of those benefits. We urge you to
allow us to interact with your insurance carrier as our helpline staff is experienced and trained in
how to best interpret the addiction treatment benefits covered by your healthcare provider.
Recovery Connection® has referred thousands to drug rehabs and addiction treatment centers
throughout the country and we’ve helped even more by listening and being supportive.
Not everyone needs admission into a drug addiction treatment center to change their life. But, for
those who do, it is essential that you take the time to call. We are available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. Call our confidential and toll-free helpline today at 1-800-993-3869.
Addiction Quotations
All sins tend to be addictive, and the terminal point of addiction is damnation. ~
  W H Auden

~ Alcohol and drug addiction are problems, and we should use outside agencies that know the
business. ~
  Richard Daley
Drug Addiction Statistics
Drug Addiction statistics are used to determine drug trends ranging from abuse to legal
consequences. Many networks have been established to provide cutting edge Drug Addiction
statistics in the United States and across the world. These networks use information gathered
from emergency room visits, medical examiners, and coroners to name a few. Once this
information is gathered, it is then categorized by its informational content and compared to
similar Drug Addiction statistics in the recent past. This information shows the "popularity",
trends, and deaths caused directly or indirectly by particular drugs.
Drug Addiction statistics can benefit the public by displaying factual evidence that certain drugs
are becoming a problem. Also, Drug Addiction statistics show the growing trends of drug use
which will give us a look to the future. Hopefully, this will help in preventing the rise of Drug
Addiction.
In one research study, approximately 1 in 5 people between the ages of 16 and 59 said that they
had taken at least one of the drugs mentioned.
People ages 18 to 21 were most likely to admit having taken drugs with almost half (46%)
claiming to have taken them.
More men than women said that they had taken drugs. 24% of men and 16% of women had
taken at least one kind of drug in their lives. Amongst those ages 18-21; 51% of men and 38% of
women had taken drugs.
More men than women had experienced taking more than one drug at a time. 52% of men but
only 36% of women who had taken drugs had taken more than one type.
Marijuana was the most commonly used drug, experienced by 12% of all participants and 24%
of those ages 18 to 25.
19.5 million people over the age of 12 use illegal drugs in the United States (Mayo Clinic).
19,000 deaths occurred from Drug Addiction in the US (Mayo Clinic).
9,102 persons died of drug-induced causes in 1999 USA (NVSR Sep 2001).
Death rate extrapolations for Drug Addiction in the United States: 19,102 per year, 1,591 per
month, 367 per week, 52 per day, 2 per hour, 0 per minute, 0 per second.
Emergency department visits involving Ecstasy increased 58 percent in the United States, from
2,850 visits in 1999 to 4,511 in 2000.
The number of emergency department visits involving heroin/morphine increased 15%, from
84,409 to 97,287.
There were 601,776 estimated drug-related emergency department episodes in 2000. Among
these, there were 1,100,539 drug mentions. Keep in mind, more than one drug may be in a
person's system at the time of admission.
Alcohol in combination with other drugs was the most frequently mentioned drug at time of
emergency department admission (204,524), followed by cocaine (174,896), heroin/morphine
(97,287), and marijuana (96,446).
From 1999 to 2000, emergency department mentions of prescription drugs containing oxycodone
increased 68%(from 6,429 to 10,825), and mentions of drugs containing hydrocodone increased
31% (from 14,639 to 19,221).
From 1998 to 2000, mentions of oxycodone and hydrocodone increased 108%.
Employed Drug Abusers cost their employers about twice as much in medical and worker
compensation claims as their drug-free coworkers.
Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2001, it was used by 76% of current illicit
drug users.
In 2001, an estimated 15.9 million Americans ages 12 or older were current illicit drug users,
meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview. This
estimate represents 7.1% of the population ages 12 years old or older.
The percentage of the population using illicit drugs increased from 6.3% in 1999 and 2000 to
7.1% in 2001. Between 2000 and 2001, statistically significant increases were noted for the
current use of marijuana (4.8 to 5.4%), cocaine (0.5 to 0.7%), pain relievers (1.2 to 1.6%), and
Tranquilizers (0.4 to 0.6%).
There were 19,102 deaths from drug-induced causes in 1999 (legal and illegal drugs).
The number of persons with Drug Addiction problems increased from 14.5 million (6.5 percent
of the population) in 2000 to 16.6 million (7.3%) in 2001.
In 1999 there were 179,000 treatment admissions for primary injection Drug Addiction and
34,000 admissions for secondary injection Drug Addiction.
Opiates accounted for 83% of admissions for injection Drug Addiction, followed by
methamphetamine/amphetamine (11%), and cocaine (5%)
Among 1999 injected drug admissions, persons admitted for injecting opiates averaged 14 years
of use before entering treatment for the first time. Those admitted for injecting
methamphetamine/amphetamine averaged 12 years, and for cocaine 13 years.
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drug Problems and Substance Abuse
Are you struggling with a drug problem that’s spiraled out of control? If so, you may feel
isolated, helpless, or ashamed. Or perhaps you’re worried about a friend or family member’s
drug use. In either case, you’re not alone. Addiction is a problem that many people face.
The good news is that you or your loved one can get better. There is hope—no matter how bad
the substance abuse problem and no matter how powerless you feel. Learning about the nature of
addiction—how it develops, what it looks like, and why it has such a powerful hold—will give
you a better understanding of the problem and how to deal with it.
In This Article:
Understanding addiction
Effects of drug abuse and addiction
Signs and symptoms
Warning signs in others
Drug addiction and denial
Getting help for drug abuse and addiction
When a loved one has a drug problem

Understanding drug addiction

Other common addictions:
Alcoholism & Alcohol Abuse
Smoking
Gambling Addiction
Internet Addiction
Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. People who are addicted
feel an overwhelming, uncontrollable need for drugs or alcohol, even in the face of negative
consequences. This self-destructive behavior can be hard to understand. Why continue doing
something that’s hurting you? Why is it so hard to stop?
The answer lies in the brain. Repeated drug use alters the brain—causing long-lasting changes to
the way it looks and functions. These brain changes interfere with your ability to think clearly,
exercise good judgment, control your behavior, and feel normal without drugs. These changes
are also responsible, in large part, for the drug cravings and compulsion to use that make
addiction so powerful.
How addiction develops
The path to drug addiction starts with experimentation. You or your loved one may have tried
drugs out of curiosity, because friends were doing it, or in an effort to erase another problem. At
first, the substance seems to solve the problem or make life better, so you use the drug more and
more.
But as the addiction progresses, getting and using the drug becomes more and more important
and your ability to stop using is compromised. What begins as a voluntary choice turns into a
physical and psychological need. The good news is that drug addiction is treatable. With
treatment and support, you can counteract the disruptive effects of addiction and regain control
of your life.

5 Myths about Drug Addiction and Substance

Abuse
MYTH 1: Overcoming addiction is a simply a matter of willpower. You can stop using drugs if
you really want to. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in powerful
cravings and a compulsion to use. These brain changes make it extremely difficult to quit by
sheer force of will.
MYTH 2: Addiction is a disease; there’s nothing you can do about it. Most experts agree that
addiction is a brain disease, but that doesn’t mean you’re a helpless victim. The brain changes
associated with addiction can be treated and reversed through therapy, medication, exercise, and
other treatments.
MYTH 3: Addicts have to hit rock bottom before they can get better. Recovery can begin at any
point in the addiction process—and the earlier, the better. The longer drug abuse continues, the
stronger the addiction becomes and the harder it is to treat. Don’t wait to intervene until the
addict has lost it all.
MYTH 4: You can’t force someone into treatment; they have to want help. Treatment doesn’t
have to be voluntary to be successful. People who are pressured into treatment by their family,
employer, or the legal system are just as likely to benefit as those who choose to enter treatment
on their own. As they sober up and their thinking clears, many formerly resistant addicts decide
they want to change.
MYTH 5: Treatment didn’t work before, so there’s no point trying again; some cases are
hopeless. Recovery from drug addiction is a long process that often involves setbacks. Relapse
doesn’t mean that treatment has failed or that you’re a lost cause. Rather, it’s a signal to get back
on track, either by going back to treatment or adjusting the treatment approach.
The far-reaching effects of drug abuse and drug addiction
While each drug of abuse produces different physical effects, all abused substances share one
thing in common. They hijack the brain’s normal “reward” pathways and alter the areas of the
brain responsible for self-control, judgment, emotional regulation, motivation, memory, and
learning.
Whether you’re addicted to nicotine, alcohol, heroin, Xanax, speed, or Vicodin, the effect on the
brain is the same: an uncontrollable craving to use that is more important than anything else,
including family, friends, career, and even your own health and happiness.
Using drugs as an escape: A short-term fix with long-term consequences
Many people use drugs in order to escape physical and emotional discomfort. Maybe you started
drinking to numb feelings of depression, smoking pot to deal with stress at home or school,
relying on cocaine to boost your energy and confidence, using sleeping pills to cope with panic
attacks, or taking prescription painkillers to relieve chronic back pain.
But while drugs might make you feel better in the short-term, attempts to self-medicate
ultimately backfire. Instead of treating the underlying problem, drug use simply masks the
symptoms. Take the drug away and the problem is still there, whether it be low self-esteem,
anxiety, loneliness, or an unhappy family life. Furthermore, prolonged drug use eventually brings
its own host of problems, including major disruptions to normal, daily functioning.
Unfortunately, the psychological, physical, and social consequences of drug abuse and addiction
become worse than the original problem you were trying to cope with or avoid.
Why do some drug users become addicted, while others don’t?
As with many other conditions and diseases, vulnerability to addiction differs from person to
person. Your genes, age when you started taking drugs, and family and social environment all
play a role in addiction. Risk factors that increase your vulnerability include:

Family history of addiction

Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences in childhood
Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
Early use of drugs
Signs and symptoms of drug abuse and drug addiction
Although different drugs have different physical effects, the symptoms of addiction are the same
no matter the substance. The more drugs begin to affect and control your life, the more likely it is
that you’ve crossed the line from drug use to abuse and drug addiction. Unfortunately, when
you’re in the middle of it, you may be in denial about the magnitude of the problem or the
negative impact it's had on your life. See if you recognize yourself in the following signs and
symptoms of substance abuse and addiction. If so, consider talking to someone about your drug
use. You’re on a dangerous road, and the sooner you get help, the better.

Common signs and symptoms of drug abuse

You’re neglecting your responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping
work, neglecting your children) because of your drug use.
You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while
on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex.
Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving
under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit. 
Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or
family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.
Common signs and symptoms of drug addiction
You’ve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same
effects you used to with smaller amounts.
You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you
experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and
anxiety.
You’ve lost control over your drug use. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even
though you told yourself you wouldn’t. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.
Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs,
figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drug’s effects.
You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because
of your drug use.
You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting you. It’s causing major problems in your
life—blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia—but you use anyway.
What drugs are most commonly abused and what are the signs and symptoms?
Almost all drugs have the potential for addiction and abuse, from caffeine to prescription
medication. However, the majority of non-alcohol related addictions are due to a short list of
drugs including sleeping pills, painkillers, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin.
Click here for a PDF factsheet on the symptoms and effects of commonly abused drugs.
Warning signs that a friend or family member is abusing drugs
Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. If you’re worried
that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs:
Physical warning signs of drug abuse
Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual.
Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming habits.
Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

Drop in attendance and performance at work or school.
Unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get it.
Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities).
Psychological warning signs of drug abuse
Unexplained change in personality or attitude.
Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts.
Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness.
Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out.”
Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason.

Warning Signs of Teen Drug Use

There are many warning signs of drug use and abuse in teenagers. The challenge for parents is to
distinguish between the normal, sometimes volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red
flags of substance abuse.
Being secretive about friends, possessions, and activities.
New interest in clothing, music, and other items that highlight drug use.
Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye contact; sneaking around.
Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble at school.
Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions.
Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, or depressed.
Using incense, perfume, or air freshener to hide the smell of smoke or drugs.
Using eyedrops to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.
Drug addiction and denial
One of the most dangerous effects of drug abuse and addiction is denial. The urge to use is so
strong that the mind finds many ways to rationalize the addiction. You may drastically
underestimate the quantity of drugs you’re taking, how much it impacts your life, and the level of
control you have over your drug use.
Denial is an unconscious defense mechanism. Minimizing and rationalizing the addiction is less
scary than admitting that your drug use is dangerously out of control. But the cost of denial can
be extremely high—including the loss of important relationships, your job, financial security,
and your physical and mental health.
Do you have a substance abuse problem?
Do you feel like you can’t stop, even if you wanted to?
Do you ever feel bad or guilty about your drug use?
Do you need to use drugs to relax or feel better?
Do your friends or family members complain or worry about your drug use?
Do you hide or lie about your drug use?
Have you ever done anything illegal in order to obtain drugs?
Do you spend money on drugs that you really can’t afford?
Do you ever use more than one recreational drug at a time?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of the questions, you may have a drug problem.
Getting help for drug abuse and drug addiction
Finding help and support for drug addiction
Visit Narcotics Anonymous to find a meeting in your area.
Call 1-800-662-HELP to reach a free referral helpline from the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration.
If you’re ready to admit you have a drug problem, congratulations! Recognizing that you have a
problem is the first step on the road to recovery, one that takes tremendous courage and strength.
Facing your addiction without minimizing the problem or making excuses can feel frightening
and overwhelming, but recovery is within reach. If you’re ready to make a change and willing to
seek help, you can overcome your addiction and build a satisfying, drug-free life for yourself.
Support is essential to addiction recovery
Don’t try to go it alone; it’s all too easy to get discouraged and rationalize “just one more” hit or
pill. Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-
directed treatment approach, support is essential. Recovering from drug addiction is much easier
when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance.
Support can come from:
family members
close friends
therapists or counselors
other recovering addicts
healthcare providers
people from your faith community

Recovering from drug addiction

Addiction is a complex problem that affects every aspect of your life. Overcoming it requires
making major changes to the way you live, deal with problems, and relate to others. It’s not just
a matter of willpower or simply wanting to quit. Getting off drugs for good is difficult without
treatment and ongoing support. The good news is that there are many tools that can help you on
your journey to sobriety.
Read: Overcoming Drug Addiction: Drug Abuse Treatment, Recovery, and Help
When a loved one has a drug problem
If you suspect that a friend or family member has a drug problem, here are a few things you can
do:
Speak up. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your help and support. The earlier
addiction is treated, the better. Don’t wait for your loved one to hit bottom! Be prepared for
excuses and denial with specific examples of behavior that has you worried.
Take care of yourself. Don’t get so caught up in someone else’s drug problem that you neglect
your own needs. Make sure you have people you can talk to and lean on for support. And stay
safe. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations.
Don’t cover for the drug user. Don’t make excuses or try to hide the problem. It’s natural to want
to help a loved one in need, but protecting them from the negative consequences of their choices
may keep them from getting the help they need.
Avoid self-blame. You can support a person with a substance abuse problem and encourage
treatment, but you can’t force an addict to change. You can’t control your loved one’s decisions.
Let the person accept responsibility for his or her actions, an essential step along the way to
recovery for drug addiction.