Signs Your Loved One Is Hiding Substance Abuse

It isn’t always easy to tell if a loved one is hiding a drug problem. Addiction presents differently in everyone, with a variety of different symptoms and signs.

However, some common signs of drug use may alert you that your loved one has a problem.

Knowing these signs can help you know when a loved one is living with addiction and allow you to approach the topic of them getting help.

Behavioral Changes Related To Drug Use

If a loved one is living with drug use, they may display behavioral changes such as changes in mood, secretive tendencies, or a new interest in risk-taking behaviors.

Mood Changes

If your loved one is living with addiction, they may display unexplained changes in personality or attitude, have sudden mood swings, be irritable, have angry outbursts, or appear paranoid, fearful, or anxious.

Different drugs also have different effects on people. Someone may act overly excitable, or the drug may cause them to become avoidant of other people and withdraw.

Secrecy

If a loved one is living with addiction, they may attempt to isolate themselves from family members and friends. They will avoid people they are trying to hide their addiction from.

They may hide their addiction due to the shame they feel associated with their addiction and due to the worry of how their family members will react to their drug use.

Risk-Taking

Those living with substance abuse have been found to show an increase in risk-taking behaviors.

Research has found that as substance use increases, the likelihood of having unsafe sex and a higher number of sex partners.

Those taking drugs may also engage in unsafe driving practices or other activities that may cause physical harm, gambling, shoplifting, trespassing, or other risky behaviors.

Physical Symptoms Of Drug Use

There are various physical symptoms associated with drug use.

Some of these symptoms may include:

• bloodshot eyes
• changes in appetite
• changes in sleeping patterns
• deterioration of physical appearance
• sudden weight loss or gain
• tremors
• slurred speech
• sleepiness
• clumsiness
• changes to pupils
• impaired memory or thought
• headaches
• nausea
• impaired vision
• vomiting
• sweating
• hyperactivity

Someone abusing drugs may also show an apparent deterioration of their health.

A serious deterioration in health is typically either related to very severe addiction or the use of particularly harmful and volatile substances.

Deterioration caused by drugs may include high or low blood pressure, high heart rate, decreased coordination, lung infections, labored breathing, and other health issues.

Sudden Changes In Social Circles And Friendships

If a loved one is using drugs, they may suddenly begin hanging out with different friends who are supporting their drug use or engaging in drug use with them.

They may distance themselves from typical friendships they have had in the past because they do not support their new lifestyle.

New Financial And Legal Troubles

It isn’t uncommon for those who abuse substances to struggle with the financial cost of addiction.

As someone becomes more dependent on these substances, they may need to use more of the substance to feel the same effect, increasing the financial burden.

Someone engaging in drug use may also have various legal troubles, such as license suspension, legal fines, jail time, or other consequences of driving under the influence or possessing drugs.

New Difficulties At Work Or School

If you find that your loved one is having difficulties meeting their responsibilities at work or school, they may be living with substance abuse.

Drug use may add to the risk of accidents in the workplace; there may be a decline in productivity of your loved ones’ work, or they may be skipping work altogether.

An adolescent using drugs may also skip school and show a decline in grades and quality of work.

Drug Paraphernalia That Could Suggest Abuse Or Addiction

Most drug paraphernalia are common household items such as straws, pen caps, spoons, paper, small plastic baggies, etc.

Just because you may find your loved one in possession of one of these items doesn’t mean that they are abusing drugs.

If you see certain items together, however, it may indicate drug use. If you find rolling papers with roach clips and bongs or spoons with tin foil, pipes, and a drinking straw, these may be signs of drug use.

You may also find straws with lighters or razor blades, tubes of glue with balloons or nozzles, and other combinations of paraphernalia.

Ask About Getting Your Loved One Into Treatment At Bedrock

If you are noticing these signs in your loved one and they are willing to attend treatment, we can help. Contact Bedrock Recovery Center to ask about getting your loved one into treatment.