Causes & Signs of Drug Abuse
Many things can cause a person to become addicted to drugs or alcohol. The most common causes are:
- Stress
- Untreated medical physical or mental problems
- Social isolation
- The need for more energy to work or study
- Family or other social issues
- Major life changes
- Low self-esteem or self-worth
- Genetic factors
- Peers who use drugs
- Loss of job or family
Experiencing any of these things increases your risk of developing a drug addiction. If you or a loved one has one or more of these risk factors, you might want to consider the signs of addiction. The most common signs are:
- General apathy
- Failure to stop using a substance despite the negative consequences
- Feeling cravings or the overwhelming need to use drugs or alcohol
- Risk-taking behaviors to obtain or while using drugs or alcohol
- Failure to attend important family or job events or occasions
- Alienation from friends or family who do not use
- Stealing or prostitution in exchange for drugs or alcohol
- Secretive behavior
- Changes in appearance or hygiene
- Need to use the drugs or alcohol to feel normal
- Drastic weight changes
- Changes in friends
- The presence of paraphernalia
- Rapid decline in health with no other apparent cause
- Obsessing over drugs or alcohol
Although no single sign is indicative of drug or alcohol addiction, multiple signs might indicate a problem. If you or a loved one is exhibiting one or more of these signs, rehabs in Maine might be your best option.