The Indicators That Might Signal A Person Has Crossed The Line Between Two Concepts

To be diagnose with substance use disorder the person will have the following symptoms that has occurred during a 1 year period. The inability to manage key obligations at home not paying mortgages and bills, work not showing up or missing important deadline or school not going. Driving while under the influence which could cause physical harm and hazard to yourself and others, social and personal issues because of substance use, legal problems because of substance use disorder.

A short term addict should immediately seek the help of a qualified professional in attending rehab. It can cause serious health problems especially if it escalates. Early effects attributed to substance abuse it impairs the judgement of affected people and results in self-delusion which keeps them locked into an increasingly destructive pattern. It is a serious psychological mechanism which operates unconsciously which in the end causes family problems or relationships with friends, partners and even children

They must first look to see whether they are using it the way it was prescribed. If they are using it in any way other than that, it is abuse at a minimum. Furthermore, if it is taking more of the substance to achieve the intended effect, tolerance has been increased. Finally, if upon ceasing use of the substance they begin to experience bodily withdrawal, this would be an indication of physical dependence.

First of all, there is the Structural-Functional perspective way people view drug addiction as. The structural-functional perspective is the role the drugs do for the person or the weakening of the norms. It is the way they affect the person and what it does to them that makes them be addicted to drugs. For some people drugs relieves them. It takes them away from their problems from a while and they feel stress free and because of that feeling they receive from the drugs they like it and continue to take more and more. Those with this type of perspective well most likely disagree with this view of drug addiction and would want the problem to decrease.

Addiction- a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. The difference between addiction and abuse is often times unclear. It’s a difficult call to make as a family member or a close friend that is dealing with a person like this in their life, but ultimately it is a call that only the addict can make for themselves. There are tons of different sources and tests and questions out there that can be done that can

The effects of drug addiction make up an infinite list but its greatest effect is on the brain. Drug addicts experiment with substance abuse depending on the side effects of the drug used. If the drug is an opioid or painkiller, then the subject might be in a sleepy and stoic state. If it was a catalyst then the person is going to exhibit an excited and emotional behavior (i.e. talking a lot, laughing at nothing, babbling, and going through extreme emotion changes.) Depending on the type of drug the subject might even experience hallucinations that can cause them to even commit suicide (“Gwinnell, Esther, and Christine Adamec”). Some superficial indicators that a person is abusing these types of substances are bloodshot eyes, rapid weight lost, needle tracks, runny nose, and even poor personal hygiene. The side effects of drug abuse, as previously mentioned are magnified when it comes to the family. If the abuser is one or both of the parents/ guardians, the child might end up being mistreated and/or not taken care of. Furthermore, if the mother is pregnant, the baby might be born premature or underweight, have mental or physical problems, or have a disruptive later on in life.

Outward signs of substance abuse grow in intensity and number, leading to full-blown addiction. For example, an Opioid use disorder escalates very quickly and signs are readily apparent: A strong desire, or need for opioids, the inability to reduce consumption, continued use even though it interferes with personal and social obligations, the use of increasing amounts in closer intervals, the development of tolerance, a great deal of time and effort goes in to obtaining and using opioids, and symptoms of withdrawal that occur when attempting to stop, or limit, use.

Clearly, it would be in the best interests of society to address the problem with substance use disorder. There are ten separate classes of drugs, which include alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, hallucinogens stimulants, and unknown substances (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In order to diagnose someone with substance use disorder the DSM 5 (2013) lists eleven separate criteria. The individual may require higher amounts or longer periods than was originally planned. Obtaining, using and recovering from the effects of the drug may take the majority of their time. The daily routine revolves around the drug. When the

According to the DSM-5 (2013), the central piece of any substance use disorder is the symptoms showing the individuals continued use regardless of the significant problems it creates. Possible symptoms of an individual with an opioid disorder would include the use of large amounts or using for a longer time span than anticipated, failure to decrease use or stop altogether, cravings, loss of job or not attending school, inability to complete regular tasks, continuing use regardless of persistent problems or medical issues, reduction in activities once enjoyed, increased tolerance, and flu-like signs, irritability, and insomnia while not using (APA, 2013). Many individuals who suffer from opioid dependence could present as depressed, drowsy, unmotivated, irritable, lacking concentration, and possibly even talkative with slurred speech (CITE). At times, it can be hard for providers to distinguish between adolescents altering moods and signs of possible substance use or addiction (CITE). It is not uncommon that individuals who use present in a state of denial as it can be a normal response to the reluctance they feel about treatment (CITE).

Pretty soon they’ll find themselves having to use crack just to feel “normal” again. This is the physical dependency stage. It occurs when the user has built up such a high tolerance from frequent usage, that their body basically forgets what is normal so they have to maintain a continuum of the drug to ward of the withdraw effects. As a result of usage, anxiety and depression can last for weeks. Attempts to stop using the drugs can fail simply because the resulting depression can be overwhelming, causing the addict to use more cocaine in an attempt to overcome his depression. This is the point in which you get the more stereotypical crack addict. They begin to steal from their family and friends, miss work/school, prostitute, and do just about anything they can to get the money to support their habit. They begin to short or try to get over on the person who is selling them drugs, which can result in violence. Some even become drug dealers themselves so that they can pay for the drugs that they use.

What should you be looking for? Usually a teen abusing drug will become unusually detached from the family unit. They might be distant or have an unexpected attitude and seclude themselves in their room. In some cases money might come up missing.

A person may be suffering from depressive symptoms and use narcotics with the hope of acquiring some kind of relief. Depressive symptoms can develop as a result of using mind altering substances or as part of withdrawal symptoms when taking breaks from drugs. Low mood in withdrawal can be short and self-limiting, though sometimes it may lead to a very serious and prolonged depressive illness. A person will take drugs to escape or forget a problem in

Many people have the inability to control themselves when faced with pressure from others. Also, social situations can lead to erratic drug behavior. Under stressful situations, such as divorce, or moving it can lead to self destructing behaviors. One pill leads to another and the abuse becomes uncontrollable (Guerrero,

Becoming addicted to drugs is a tragic thing to happen to anybody. These people need help as soon as possible, because doing drugs can kill you, whether from overdose or having a fatal accident while they are high. Thankfully there are many things that can be done to help drug addicts. Supporting them is key, “ Recovering from drug addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance”. (Robinson, Smith, Saison, 2013). The first thing that you should is to speak up, and tell them your concerns about them. You need to avoid being judgmental, because becoming an addict can happen

This then results in lack of control when the same outcome can no longer be established. This leads to increasing dosage or behavior to try and achieve the same high or to possibly better it. Substance addictions leave the body constantly craving a good feeling despite the consequences they may have. In order to understand the real mentality of someone with addiction/s is to examine a person in a philosophical and psychological way.