Drug Addiction Signs - So What are
the Signs of Drug Addiction?

What makes you an addict? When do you cross the line from being an occasional or social user to full blown addiction?

Most of the signs of alcoholism also apply as drug addiction signs and symptoms so before you do anything make sure you read that.

My feeling with drug addiction though is that if you don't know what you're looking for, its generally harder to recognise than alcoholism - because we all know what someone looks like when they've been drinking, but we don't all know what the signs are when someone is high.

So as a parent, friend or loved one of an addict, the symptoms of drug addiction may be more difficult for you to pick up if you can't tell when someone has been using. The secret here is to look for noticeable changes in behaviour - becoming distant, withdrawn, having problems at work etc ...

It's also important to understand that you don't have to be a full blown 'junkie' to be a drug addict. I think we sometimes have this perception created by television and the media that you're only an addict if you're living in a dump and shooting up (injecting heroin for example if you don't know what shooting up means:-)

Remember that addiction or dependence isn't about what, or how much you use - the most recognisable drug addiction symptoms boil down to the effect or impact your using drugs has on your life.

When using drugs begins to effect your relationships, your work life, your emotional state (guilt, moodiness, obsession with your next using session) - you know there is a problem.

As I said when discussing the symptoms of alcoholism it's important that you get REAL and be HONEST with yourself about what's going on. The biggest obstacle in recognising the drug addiction signs and admitting that there may be a problem is DENIAL. And Denial is the biggest obstacle in you or someone you love becoming clean.