Tahsin Rahman Oshin
The world has lost so many bright minds to drug addiction. Even people who we come across everyday might be stuggling with addiciton. Here are some methods to identify an addict:
Changes in behavior or mood swings
Mood swings are one of the most common changes evident in drug users. The users usually lose interest in social life activities as well as family life. Often, they have temperamental behavior and go from sheer euphoria to indolent and sluggish in a short period of time. They talk excessively, have temper peevishness, irritability and include paranoia, suspicious behavior and secrecy.
Indistinct Speech
Slurred speech is a sign of using tranquilizers and barbiturates. Other drugs that cause similar symptoms are hallucinogens, alcohol, cocaine and other stimulants. Constantly runny nose, excessive sweating and sniffling are some other symptoms.
Unapparent need for money
If a friend asks for money but explains why he or she needs it, chances are he or she is going to use it for drugs. They might steal other common drugs like painkillers and prescriptions drugs from other family members or friends, sells their belongings, and get involved in illegal activities like theft in order to get money for drugs. They may end up smuggling drugs as well.
Ignoring personal care
Frequent use of drugs show deterioration of personal care and hygiene. Shaggy clothes and unusual smell on their breaths, body or clothes is not very uncommon. They tend to look disheveled, lack the motivation, show damn care and perform inefficiently at work or school.
Abrupt changes in friends and acquaintances Drug users stop socializing and get away from their social friends, circles, hobbies and families and instead get involved in illegal activities, making new friends who are usually drug dealers and smugglers.
Eating habits changes
Changes in eating habits unusually occur as some get unusual cravings for eating and others lose the appetite to eat at all. So sudden weight loss or gain is seen among frequent drug users. Cocaine, meth, heroin and other stimulants show a loss of appetite while marijuana can cause either a decrease or increase in body weight.
Sleep patterns disruptions
Drug users, especially those who intake heroin, stimulants and other hallucinogens show a display of change in sleep cycles. They tend to sleep at odd times of the day and and will lethargic, tired and weak mostly throughout the day.
Tahsin Rahman Oshin is a feature writer at the Daily Our Time who has a passion for performing arts and fashion. She is a high school graduate, loves cats and plans to build an animal shelter in future.