Personality Changes with Drug Dependency

The signs of drug use and dependency can often be overlooked by parents.

As a child grows into adulthood, there may be many personality changes. Some behaviors such as emotional outbursts, having a bad attitude, sleeping a lot, and simply not listening to our rules we often understand or accept as “normal” teenage behavior. Different drugs produce different symptoms in personality changes and behavior. Here are some signs to be aware of in your loved one:

Marijuana use and/or dependency

Red or bloodshot eyes
Laughing for no particular reason
Getting the “munchies”
Difficulty thinking
Dry mouth
Social withdrawal and isolation

Heroin use and/or dependency

Movement is slow and/or uncoordinated
Extreme alertness followed by suddenly nodding off
Itchiness/ picking at skin (heroin releases histamines which make the skin itchy)
Speech is slurred
Withdrawal from friends and family
Lack of personal hygiene, may wear the same clothes for days/not shower or bathe for days
Very little motivation for previous favorite activities
Spending a lot of time out/ with new friends
Lying and deceptive
Wears long sleeves/long pants even in hot weather (to cover needle marks)
Arms, legs, and eyelids appear to be heavy
Small, pinpoint size pupils
Dark circles under the eyes
Nosebleeds (from snorting)
Sores on lips (from smoking)
Dry, persistent cough
Unexplained financial problems/stealing

Methamphetamine use/dependency

Weight loss
Lack of sleep
Dilated pupils
Isolation
May appear jittery or have a lot of energy
Aggressive behavior
May wear long sleeves/long pants to cover needle marks
Intense itching, as the user may feel like there are bugs under his/her skin
Hallucinations from not sleeping for days at a time
Irritability and depression when coming down
Sleeping for excessive periods of time, sometimes for days after a meth “run”

Alcohol use/dependency

Slurring words
Equilibrium is off (bumping into things, falling down)
The odor is on clothes/comes out of the pores
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Unexplained headaches
Irritability and/or depression
Sweating or shakiness

Crack/Cocaine use/dependency

Loss of appetite/weight loss
Dilated pupils
Intense euphoria and over confidence
Irritability and hallucinations
Being anxious and/or paranoid
Financial problems/stealing
Intense anger and/or erratic behavior
Going out and not coming back for days at a time
Runny nose or nosebleeds (from snorting)
Needle marks (from injecting)
Burned lips or fingers (from smoking)

There are many more categories of drug use and dependency (opioid pills, LSD, Ecstasy, etc.) Common changes in physical appearance and behavior are apparent throughout.

If you see someone you love losing weight, their skin looking shallow and unhealthy, and they are not taking care of their hygiene, chances are they are struggling with drug dependency. If you notice marks on their body that look suspicious, be suspicious. Individuals struggling with drug use and addiction will lie, cheat, and steal to feed their addiction. These behaviors stem from not having a clear mind, and from not wanting to go through withdrawal, as that can be painful mentally, emotionally, and often even physically. Depending on the addiction, withdrawal symptoms can cause the individual to be depressed to the point of suicide, physically sick, cause seizures and even death.

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your child or loved one, take action and contact us today at (888) 576-0222. Their life is at stake.

For more information about programs offered at Fair Oaks Recovery Center, including our intensive outpatient program in Sacramento, please call us today at (888) 576-0222.

Personality Changes with Drug Dependency

The signs of drug use and dependency can often be overlooked by parents.

Categories

Take the Next Steps: