CNT’s Medical Director, Indra Cidambi, M.D., talks about the misconceptions about Adderall, highlights the potential of getting addicted to Adderall and the possibility of the medication becoming the “gateway” drug leading to abuse of other substances.
Category: Blogs
Cracking Down on Opiates
Cracking Down on Opiates
Pain Pill Prescriptions Leads To A More Deadly Drug Trend: Pressed Pills
Over 30 million people worldwide use opiates – for legitimate pain or for recreational purposes.
Unfortunately, many uses them to feed their addiction, and suffering from detoxification withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit it.
Irrespective of whether opiates, such as prescription pain killers or heroin or fentanyl, are obtained legally or in the illicit market, there is a problem.
The problem also mutates. When authorities make it more difficult to obtain prescription painkillers from legal sources, then people turn to the illicit market for diverted opioid pain pills or heroin. Just because they ran out of prescription opioid pain pills it doesn’t mean that the addiction has.
Many states are limiting, in shape or form, the prescriptions for opioid painkillers in the hope that it will prevent people from getting addicted to them. The secondary gain would be that the number of opioid pain pills making their way into the hands of drug dealers would be curtailed.
According to Dr. Cidambi, drug cartels or even some home-based ‘cooks’ are finding ways to fill the demand and cashing in on the shortage. Supply will come in to fill the demand gap. If you have ever watched the television show, ‘Breaking Bad’, you know it’s a short leap into making and dealing in drugs.
Some home based-drug operations are importing pill making equipment and raw fentanyl, a synthetic opiate which is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, from the dark web and making fentanyl-laced pills at home. They mimic the effects of popular prescription opiate painkillers such as Codeine, Oxycodone and Percocet. What’s more, they are cheaper on the street than the real thing and exponentially more potent, so it provides a higher high.
Not only do these pills contain fentanyl, they may also be laced with other substances, such as benzodiazepines, making it a cocktail of drugs that have the ability to spike the high obtained from opiates.
Individuals suffering from addiction gravitate toward these pills as they are irresistibly cheap. However, they are putting themselves in grave danger, as there is no way of knowing what is actually in them. Drug dealers want to deliver a higher high than their competitors and concoct a variety of formulations without a basic knowledge of chemistry or pharmacology.
Consequently, individuals with addiction issues are putting their lives at risk by ingesting these pills. It would not be unfair to say that unintentional overdoses are mainly caused by such pills.
While the antidote to opiate overdose, Narcan, could help to revive a person who has overdosed on opiates, it may not be as effective on a person who has overdosed on multiple substances of abuse. The danger is not only from multiple substances, it could be from fentanyl alone! It is so potent and the overdose happens so quickly that first responders may not get an opportunity to get to the person on time to administer Narcan and revive them
If you think you have an addiction problem, please feel free to reach out to us. We have an outstanding outpatient treatment program which has delivered excellent results. Please call us or contact us here through our website.
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Is Addiction in my Genes?
Is Addiction in my Genes?
Are you living with a parent or family member who suffers from addiction?
Are you concerned that you may be predisposed to addictions? Addiction has a strong genetic component and your concerns are well founded.
Two factors strongly contribute to the initiation of use of addictive substances; environment and genetics.
The risk of addiction tends to be proportional to the degree of genetic relationship to an addicted individual.
What it means is that the more closely you are related to an individual with addiction issues, the more likely you are genetically predisposed to get addicted.
If you are looking for help or have any questions, you can contact us here
In early adolescence, the initiation and use of nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis are more strongly determined by familial and social factors (i.e. role models and peer influence), but they decrease in importance as a person progresses to young and middle adulthood. At this point, genetics become the dominant determinant of getting or staying addicted to substances.
The precaution a person should take if they have a close relative with addiction issues is to stay away from addictive substances and practice a healthy lifestyle.
Is there a difference in the heritability of different substances? Research has shown that the ability to inherit an addiction to hallucinogens is moderate, while the ability to inherit an addiction to cocaine is high! However, it appears that this variation was attributable to similar lifestyles and environmental factors, not purely to genetics. Whew!!!
Children whose parents are addicted to substances are eight times more likely to become addicts themselves. While all of us have the potential to become addicted to something, be it drugs, food, sex, not everyone becomes addicted.
Apart from genetics, another important contributor to addiction is trauma. Individuals who have suffered through physical, emotional or sexual abuse use substances to mask pain and find pleasure. Indeed 70% of women suffering from addiction have been sexually assaulted earlier in their lives.
Another contributor to addiction is mental health issues. It is well known that antidepressants do not work for 30% of people suffering from depression and medication to address post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) is not very effective. Or, perhaps, the individual never received a proper diagnosis.
These individuals tend to self-medicate through the abuse of alcohol or drugs or the misuse of prescription medications. They eventually end up getting addicted to these medications.
Opioid pain killers and benzodiazepines, used to address anxiety, are two classes of drugs that are commonly misused. Students commonly misuse stimulants, a medication used to address ADHD, in the mistaken belief that it helps their cognition and, therefore, will help them with their grades.
The abuse of substances repeatedly leads to tolerance, which, in turn, leads to increasing the use of addictive substances in order to obtain the same high.
If you feel like you are becoming dependent on any substances, it may be time to get a professional evaluation, especially if someone closely related to you has or is suffering from an addiction to substances.
If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and need immediate help, please contact us without delay.
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Sublocade: Directionally Positive, But Not A Panacea
Sublocade: Directionally Positive, But Not A Panacea
Buprenorphine has been used for nearly two decades to treat addiction to opiates, such as prescription pain pills, heroin, and fentanyl.
In fact, Buprenorphine has been very successful as it not only provides relief from withdrawal symptoms, it also mitigates cravings.
Physicians prescribe buprenorphine, which comes in Listerine-like strips, to patients and they are instructed to ingest them in certain doses at given intervals.
Buprenorphine is the generic name for the medication, which is also sold under brand names such as Suboxone, Subutex, and ZubSolv.
However, all is not rosy! Some patients hoarded this medication and used it to “detox” themselves after partying or running out of money to buy drugs on the street.
Even worse, they sold some of their buprenorphine strips to drug dealers on the streets to finance their drug habit or obtain food or sex. In the DEA’s language, this is called “diversion” of the medication as a tightly controlled medication becomes available on the black market on the street.
Not only was the medication used as currency on the street or on a contingency basis (as needed), it did not fully serve its purpose – help people come off and stay off opiates!
In November 2017, the FDA approved a newer version of buprenorphine, called Sublocade. This medication is an injectable, extended release form of buprenorphine which is released at a controlled rate into the bloodstream for a period of a month. Like, other forms of buprenorphine, Sublocade is effective in providing relief from withdrawal symptoms and addressing cravings.
Dr. Cidambi, the country’s leading addiction expert, is positive on the medication as it helps with compliance. Sublocade stops the games patients played with Suboxone previously. However, it is not a panacea.
The patient has to be brought down to a steady dose of Suboxone before Sublocade can be administered. It cannot be used in the early stages of treatment for Opioid use disorder when the dose needs to adjust up or down. Introducing Sublocade early may be detrimental, as the patient may turn to illicit drugs if the Sublocade released into the bloodstream is not sufficient to mitigate withdrawal symptoms or cravings.
Sublocade is a monthly injection, so the patient does not need to see the physician for a period of one month. The danger is that the patient is not monitored for weeks and unless the patient engages in regular therapy, the physician will be unaware I the patient tries to co-abuse other drugs while on Sublocade, which would increase the risk of respiratory depression.
Co-abuse of benzodiazepines and alcohol with opiates (before being treated with Sublocade) is common and their use is contraindicated with Sublocade also.
Despite these concerns, Sublocade does mark an advancement in the treatment for addiction to opiates, as it adds to the arsenal of drugs and therapies available to combat this epidemic.
For more information about opioid addiction, or the use of buprenorphine to address opiate use disorders, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Identifying Alcohol or Drug Abuse in the Work Place
Identifying Alcohol or Drug Abuse in the Work Place
Addiction Expert Dr. Indra Cidambi Spells Out Warning Signs Your Co-Worker May Be Abusing Drugs
New York – January 20, 2016 – Substance abuse (alcohol, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs) in the workplace is a serious issue with negative consequences for employers. Over 77% of illicit drug users are employed in the workplace, according to a National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, and statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that alcoholism alone results in 500 million lost workdays every year.
“The use of drugs or alcohol in the workplace has profound implications for the employer,” says leading Addiction Expert, Dr. Indra Cidambi. Employees who use drugs are likely to miss work, which may negatively impact costs and customer service. They are more likely to file workmen’s compensation claims, as workplace accidents are more likely, or, in some cases, it may increase an employer’s liability if employees harm others or steal. Consequently, employers need to be able to recognize warning signs of substance abuse
1. Personality Changes: “Individuals affected by substance abuse show distinct changes in personality, with no identifiable cause,” says Dr. Cidambi. They are likely to become more moody and irritable and they have difficulty paying attention. They may lose their motivation and energy and display an “I don’t care” attitude.
2. Physical Signs: “Physical symptoms of addiction are also evident,” says Dr. Cidambi. “Physical symptoms to watch for include: cold, sweaty palms and shaking hands; a runny nose and frequent rubbing of the nose; red, watery eyes; and a loss of interest in personal care and hygiene.”
3. Frequent Restroom Use: People who use substances at work have a frequent need to carve out some private space – they may need to ingest, snort or inject drugs, sleep off the effects, or pass out. They may also experience nausea, vomiting or other drug/alcohol-related side effects, which could send them to the bathroom more frequently.
4. Unexplained Absences/Tardiness: Individuals using substances are frequently unable to fulfill their responsibilities. They are more inclined to call in sick or show up late for work. “Employees with a substance abuse disorder tend to experience more job turnover as a result of absenteeism or overuse of sick time,” says Dr. Cidambi. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), employees with substance abuse issues were more likely to report frequent job changes in the past year.
5. Always in Need of Money: “The cost of obtaining drugs or alcohol for heavy, daily use can be prohibitive,” says Dr. Cidambi. Consequently, the need for money is chronic and employees using substances may frequently borrow money from colleagues. They may even build relationships with co-workers just so they can borrow money.
“It is not always that any of these signs and symptoms by themselves point to substance abuse,” cautions Dr. Cidambi, “but a cluster should be a cause for concern.” Alcohol and drugs can invade all facets of the workplace without regard to occupation or demographic group and they can impact the employer financially. If you know someone who is exhibiting these signs, it is important to get that co-worker/employee the help they need. It may be by talking to the co-worker’s immediate boss or contacting Human Resources.
About Dr. Indra Cidambi
Indra Cidambi, M.D., Medical Director, Center for Network Therapy, is recognized as a leading expert and pioneer in the field of Addiction Medicine. Under her leadership, the Center for Network Therapy started New Jersey’s first state-licensed Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification program for all substances nearly three years ago. Dr. Cidambi is Board Certified in General Psychiatry and double Board Certified in Addiction Medicine (ABAM, ABPN). She is the Vice President of the New Jersey Society of Addiction Medicine. She is fluent in five languages, including Russian.
About the Center for Network Therapy
Center for Network Therapy (CNT) was the first facility in New Jersey to be licensed to provide Ambulatory (Outpatient) Detoxification Services for all substances of abuse – alcohol, anesthetics, benzodiazepines, opiates and other substances of abuse. Led by a Board Certified Addiction Psychiatrist, Indra Cidambi, M.D., experienced physicians and nurses closely monitor each patient’s progress. With CNT’s superior client care and high-quality treatment, Dr. Cidambi and her clinical team have successfully detoxed roughly 1500 patients in five years. CNT also offers Partial Care and IOP programs.
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Recognizing Addiction
Recognizing Addiction
Addiction is defined as an inability to stop using a certain substance despite negative consequences.
It can take many forms like illicit drugs, alcohol, prescription medication, gambling or sex.
Addiction is easy to spot when a person becomes highly dysfunctional.
However, many individuals with addiction issues are “functioning,” in that they are able to nearly meet their work, home, and social responsibilities.
Not only is addiction difficult to spot in these individuals, but it is also very hard to convince them that they have an issue with alcohol or drugs.
They are likely to brush it off as a recreational habit. An early sign of addiction is when a significant part of the day is spent planning, finding the resources and obtaining their substance of choice.
Some changes that may point to addiction include:
Changes in Behavior and Mood
An individual suffering from addiction may experience frequent changes in mood or behavior.
They may become irritable when they crave the substance they are abusing. But, when they ingest their substance of choice, they will likely be happy and calm.
Increase in Risk Taking Behavior
Obtaining illicit drugs involves taking risks, which they are willing to take in order to satisfy a craving or mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
So you might notice a few fender benders, dents or other damage to their car. Sometimes, they may have to steal to feed their addiction so you may find things missing around the home.
Isolating oneself
Individuals with addiction issues tend to withdraw from their old friends, as they do not share interests anymore and are pre-occupied with obtaining substances to abuse. They may be pre-occupied in obtaining and using their substance of choice. With teenagers, one may also notice that their circle of friends has changed.
Changes in Sleep Patter
The abuse of drugs or alcohol disturbs the sleep/wake cycle and you may notice that individuals with addiction issues asleep at odd times of the day and awake at odd times in the night.
Loss of Interest in Pleasurable Activities
Substance abuse takes over their lives and they derive satisfaction from obtaining and abusing their substance of choice. Hobbies they previously enjoyed are not pleasurable anymore.
Unkempt Appearance
Hygiene takes a back seat and individuals suffering from addiction neglect to groom and take care of their appearance. They are often in need of a shower and their clothes could be unwashed, dirty or stained. They may also look haggard due to excessive weight loss.
Inappropriate Clothing
Apart from not caring about their clothes, individuals with addiction issues may wear long-sleeved attire in the summer. They may be doing this to hide track marks in their arms or hide illicit substances in their clothes.
If you see quite a few of these signs in someone you love, it is better to have a direct conversation with the person highlighting your concerns. Often, individuals suffering from addiction do not perceive these changes in themselves and may delude themselves into thinking that no one can detect what is going on with them. Let them know you are always available to talk and help. Remember, denial is always the first defense for an individual suffering from addiction.
Dr. Cidambi is a leading expert in addiction treatment and runs an excellent treatment program at the Center for network Therapy. If you are concerned about a loved one, please reach out to us here.
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Opioid prescription decline data misleading
Opioid prescription decline data misleading
Dr. Indra Cidambi Analyzes CDC Report Showing Doctors Are Cutting Back on Opioid Prescriptions
New York – July 7, 2017 – Opioid prescription data released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed the number of opioid pain pill prescriptions per 100 people declined by 13% and the potency declined by 41% in the 2010-2015 period.
While the drop in prescriptions is encouraging, the reality is sobering and points to more people switching to street drugs, according to Addiction Expert Dr. Indra Cidambi, Founder and Medical Director of the Center for Network Therapy.
“Due to tighter oversight of opioid prescriptions and a sharp decline in prices of illegal opioids (heroin and fentanyl) individuals addicted to opiates have been switching to street drugs.”
Overdose deaths from opiates have risen every year starting in 1999.
In the 2010-2015 period, overdose deaths from all opiates (licit + Illicit) grew an astounding 57% to 33,000 in 2015 (NIDA), despite a plateauing of overdose deaths from prescription opioid pain relievers (licit).
As per this week’s CDC Report:
• The annual opioid medication prescribing rate by doctors dropped 13 percent, from 81 prescriptions per 100 people to 71 prescriptions per 100 people.
• Doctors also prescribed high doses of opioids less often – high-dose prescriptions fell 41 percent, from 11.4 per 100 people to 6.7 per 100 people.
• The length of prescriptions increased from an average of 13 days in 2006 to 18 days in 2015.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and state and local governments have increased oversight of opiate pain medication prescriptions in some shape or form over the years, which has definitely contributed to the decline in the rate of prescriptions.
“Consequently, individuals addicted to pain pills have had a harder time accessing opiate pain pills through their medical care providers,” said Dr. Cidambi. “The reality on the street, however, is that heroin and synthetic opiates are cheaper to obtain, causing individuals addicted to opiate pain pills to switch to these street drugs.”
“Seasoned users of prescription pain pills have likely left the system, as it is cheaper to obtain illicit opiates on the street,” said Dr. Cidambi. “These individuals had likely developed a tolerance for the drug and were being prescribed higher-potency doses previously.” Consequently, a sharp decline in high-dose prescriptions may be due to this ongoing switch.
“Individuals who seek prescriptions for opiate pain pills to feed their addiction usually indulge in doctor shopping,” said Dr. Cidambi. “It is not uncommon for them to visit multiple doctors just once in a short period of time to obtain prescriptions, sometimes crossing state lines.
As illicit opiates have become much cheaper, they now have no reason to doctor shop,” adds Dr. Cidambi. This may have contributed to the lengthening of prescriptions.
According to Dr. Cidambi, the opioid prescription decline data is an isolated piece of information that is not connected to the whole and is misleading. While the nation is weary of the fight against the drug epidemic and is ready to welcome any positive news with open arms, it is still too premature to think that we have turned the corner in this fight.
“The fight against this epidemic has to be multi-faceted. As a nation, we need to work on removing the stigma from addiction and recognize that it is a disease. Just coercing doctors to write lesser opiate pain prescriptions is not the panacea,” said Dr. Cidambi.
Dr. Cidambi recommends the following courses of action to help fight the opioid epidemic:
• To address pain, health insurance companies should be mandated to cover alternate treatment (acupuncture, meditation, yoga, etc.) along with physical therapy and non-narcotic pain medications.
• When it comes to treatment, modalities that help the patient remain sober in their own environment (outpatient treatment, such as Ambulatory Detoxification) should be supported as they can deliver better outcomes. Inpatient treatment has so far been dominant, but ineffectual in the face of this epidemic. I have been treating individuals afflicted by addiction for over a decade and I strongly believe the best rehabilitation takes place at home, not in a bubble far from the individual’s real living environment. These individuals not only need to learn coping and relapse prevention skills, but they also need to practice using it and they benefit from the opportunity to apply it in the real world while they are in treatment.
• Another important issue is reintegrating these individuals back into the workforce. Charges incurred while they were using substances hang over their head when they get sober and try to put their lives back together. Decriminalization utilizing token-economy (dropping charges if the individual completes treatment and stays sober for a certain period of time) provides the individual afflicted by the disease of addiction an incentive to seek treatment and embark on the road to recovery.
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The Dangers of DIY Detox Programs
The Dangers of DIY Detox Programs
According to studies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), only one out of every ten alcohol and drug users receive treatment at a professional rehab center or facility. The reasons that many users do not go to receive treatment include not feeling ready to stop the abuse, cannot afford the treatment, feeling that the treatment was too inconvenient, and more.
As an alternative to outpatient detoxification, some patients attempt to get help from doing it yourself (DIY) detox plans. These plans are generally used in a person’s home, and they often involve medicine and other drugs that are not proven to help a patient recover.
Detoxing at home sounds like an appealing choice for patients who do not have time, money, or effort to invest in to get treatment from a professional. DIY detox allows patients to spend less money compared to an outpatient program, as well as use the program in the comfort of their home where they are able to continue their daily activities, and even maintain jobs and family obligations.
However, there only is one proper way to detox, and that is with professional help. No DIY detox kits will guarantee you any significant results towards recovery, or will allow you to withdraw from alcohol or drugs in a safe way. In the worst case scenario, a DIY detox plan could cause you to end up in the hospital, in which the bill would cost more than the outpatient detoxification treatment.
There are several downsides to relying on DIY detox programs. These include still having access to the drugs that you may try to get away from, in addition to being familiar with places that would trigger you to use them. The stress and psychological issues that a person might experience at home might still encourage the user to drink and do drugs, as if no change or detox plan had even begun.
Studies have shown that of a population of people who managed to recover on their own, 57 percent of those people did so by considering the benefits and detriments of drinking. The most common reason why those people their maintained abstinence was spousal support, or support from a family member.
Rather than DIY detox plans, outpatient detox is another option that we recommend strongly. Patients can still live at home, but visit a treatment center for availing services at a certain time of day. Treatments can take from one intensive session to a series of shorter sessions. Outpatient detox programs can last from 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the program that is chosen.
Outpatient detox programs are more affordable than inpatient programs. These programs also allow you to interact with peers who may be suffering from the same or similar problems at the same time. These detox programs will not affect your job, either, as these visits can take place outside your working hours, including during evenings. With outpatient detox, you will also have access to effective and safe medications that can help mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
Of course, many people choose to avoid getting professional help due to how much it costs, but there are more ways than ever before to afford a plan for treatment. For users who do not have health insurance, clinics offer flexibility on payment plans so that more patients are able to pay. Flexible payment plans allow you to pay in increments each month, and the less money that you have to pay each month, the more months you will need to pay for. However, whatever payment plan that patients can afford is definitely worth it.
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3 Benefits You Get By Attending Alcoholics Anonymous Program
3 Benefits You Get By Attending Alcoholics Anonymous Program
Many people are dying because they suffer from the addiction to alcohol. In the US alone, each year, there are hundreds of people dying because of this addiction. It is a very sad but yet the bitter truth. Most of them believe that they cannot overcome the addiction that they have and think that their life is over. They firmly believe that no matter how much effort they put, they cannot achieve their dream of becoming free from the bondage of alcohol.
To all of those who are suffering from this kind of addiction, there is a ray of hope through the alcohol detox centers that you can now find all around the country. Some of these centers also offer programs such as alcoholics anonymous NJ.
It is one of the best programs that those who are suffering from an addiction to alcohol should attend. There are numerous benefits that they get to enjoy when they participate in this kind of programs. Many are unaware of these programs and the advantages that come from attending them. Here is a list of the benefits that you will get to enjoy.
The Needed Guidance: While many people can advise those suffering from the alcohol addiction to quit drinking, only people who overcame the addiction can give them better guidance. They know the realities of the problem better than people who do not know what it is like to suffer from this addiction.
These people have tried their best until they overcame the problem. This program allows people who overcame and those who are doing their best to overcome this addiction to come and speak in these gathering. They will come and give the needed guidance and support to people suffering from the alcohol addiction.
People who are suffering from this habit can better relate to their experiences and find ways to overcome the addiction. And these gatherings are not held in a detox center, but they organize it in cruises or other exciting locations.
Power of a Group: There is so much power when a group of individuals decides to do a certain thing. If an individual wants to overcome the addiction that they may be suffering from, it is quite difficult. It is hard to motivate oneself to overcome an addiction that has now become a habit. But, when you are sitting in a group and committing to do something, you are more stern about the decision.
Members of the group can motivate each other and make things happen. Sometimes, it is hard for people who are suffering from an addiction to taking advise from people whom they love.
They are too casual about the suggestions they receive from them. But, when a group of people who are doing their best to overcome or has come over the addiction speaks to them, they will listen.
Gives the Hope: Now, hope is the most important attribute that people should not lose if they want to achieve anything in life. By attending programs such as alcoholics anonymous NJ, a person will become confident about themselves. People do have a better chance of overcoming the addiction when they choose to participate in this kind of programs.
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How to Recognize Symptoms and Signs Related to Drug Abuse
How to Recognize Symptoms and Signs Related to Drug Abuse
No one is immune to the consequences of drug abuse, notwithstanding the reason for taking the drug in the first place.
Drug abuse is as a result of addiction to a drug, and with addiction, except the patients seek professional treatment, it will be difficult to stop taking the drug.
However, it has been noticed that a lot of drug abuse patients do not even realize that they have been addicted to a drug until they begin to show the symptoms.
It is advised that as soon as symptoms of drug abuse are noticed, the patient should get medical attention immediately in drug rehab treatment center. But as a non-professional, noticing these symptoms might prove to be very difficult.
The main symptoms associated with drug abuse are mostly physical and behavioral ones.
Physical Symptoms
The physical symptoms of drug or any substance abuse are associated with the effect of the drug from the inner body.
This means that when the drug starts taking effect on the user, there will be changes in the physiological appearance of the person.
Some of the physical symptoms associated with drug abuse include:
• Reddened bloodshot eyes
• Dilation and closing of the pupil
• Change in the size or weight of the person
• Insomnia, or sleeping for too many hours
However, it should be noted that various drug types have peculiar symptoms associated with using them, but the aforementioned are the most common in most drug abuse cases.
Behavioral Symptoms
Drug abuse also has a way of taking control of the user’s mind and brain in such a way that it affects the behavioral pattern of such a person.
The drug also takes control of the person’s thoughts. The following behavioral symptoms show that a person is having an issue with drug abuse:
● Increase in aggression and irritability. And a complete change in the attitude and personality of the person
● Extreme tiredness and drowsiness that arise for long sleeping period patterns
● Depressive state of the patient which can eventually lead to a psychiatric issue
● Lack of sociability with friends and family members
● The abrupt change of goals and priorities
● Getting involved in various criminal offenses
Most of these behavioral symptoms can only be noticed by people who know the patients prior to when they started taking drugs.
It is through this that they can be able to tell how the patient’s behavior has changed.
Once any of these symptoms are noticed, the next thing to do is pay close attention to the patient.
As soon as it is confirmed that the patient is suffering from drug abuse, make sure that you contact a rehabilitation center, to stop the situation from deteriorating further.
The rehabilitation center you are enrolling the patient in must be a reputable one, as they can help treat the patient quickly and effectively.
You can also search online for New Jersey drug treatment, or ask for referrals from friends and families who have been in a similar situation before. It is advised that the issue of drug abuse be handled carefully, as it can make people become mentally unstable.
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