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5 Warning Signs of Substance Use in a Loved One
Substance use disorder affects millions of Americans, including adults, teens, and preteens. Early treatment is essential for stopping substance use disorder before life-threatening consequences happen — but it's not always easy to spot the disorder in the people you care the most about.
At Conduit Behavioral Health, Temika Heyward, Ph.D., FNP, CRNP, PMH, and her team help patients overcome substance use disorder with custom therapies focused on each patient's unique needs and challenges. If you're worried about substance use disorder in your loved one, here are five warning signs you should know about.
1. Changes in mood
Most people know that drugs and alcohol can change a person's mood while they’re high and directly under the immediate effects of the substance. But what many people don’t know is that substance use disorder can cause chronic, lasting changes in behavior, too.
Substance use disorder is associated with behavior and mood changes like irritability and agitation, unexplained outbursts of anger, and unusual signs of euphoria or extremely high mood. Some substances can trigger depression, anxiety, or manic behaviors, especially when taken on a regular or prolonged basis.
2. Secretive behavior
In addition to changes in their mood or reactivity, people under the influence of drugs or alcohol often develop secretive behaviors in an attempt to hide their habit. They may be increasingly tight-lipped about their travels or activities during the day or suddenly go out without any explanation.
Many people with substance use problems begin socializing with a new group of people — typically people involved in substance abuse, either as users or dealers or both. They may lie to hide where they've been or whom they've seen or exhibit behavior that appears suspicious in other ways.
3. Physical symptoms
Substance use disorders can also cause a plethora of physical symptoms that tend to become more noticeable over time. You might notice eye redness or bloodshot eyes, changes in pupil size, constant sniffing or nosebleeds, sudden changes in weight, or tremors.
Over time, people with substance use disorders may become sick more often as their habit takes a toll on their body’s immune system. They may pay less attention to personal hygiene, failing to shower, wash their hair, or clean their clothing.
4. Forgetting or neglecting responsibilities
As substance use progresses, your loved one may become very focused on their habit — so focused that they wind up forgetting or neglecting personal, social, workplace, or school responsibilities.
You might notice that your loved one’s home looks disheveled or their bills are stacking up.They may develop problems at school or work or within relationships as a result of their lack of dependability. As with the other items on this list, this sign can begin subtly and become worse as the use disorder continues or increases.
5. Financial problems
Most people with substance use disorders require more and more of their substance of choice as their condition progresses. That means more money will be directed toward the costs of drugs or alcohol and less money will be put toward bills.
You may notice your loved one asking to borrow money more frequently, or they begin to sell personal items and even cherished belongings to pay for their habit—or they may take money or items from your own home to sell for cash to pay for their habit. As bills go unpaid, your loved one may have problems with utility companies, cell phone providers, or even their landlord or mortgage holder.
Finding help for your loved one
Dr. Heyward and her team specialize in therapies aimed at breaking the cycle of substance use disorder to help women and men restore their health and take control over their lives and their futures. To find out how we can help your loved one overcome their use disorder, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Conduit Behavioral Health in Baltimore, Maryland, today.