Addiction is a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug use despite the negative effects on a person’s health, life, and overall well-being.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) lists specific criteria for a diagnosis of addiction. The DMS-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association, lists the criteria for about 160 mental health conditions, including addiction. What was commonly called addiction, the DSM-5 now refers to a substance abuse disorder, which has varying severity levels.
The DSM-5 Substance Use Disorder criteria are widely used by clinicians around the country to accurately diagnose addiction. Classification of addiction as a brain disorder is due to the physiological changes to the brain, including areas of the brain involved in reward, self-control, and stress.
The criteria listed in the DSM-5 for substance abuse disorder are grouped into four categories, including physical dependence, social problems, impaired control, and risky use. Within these categories are symptoms of addiction.
A diagnosis of substance use disorder does not require meeting every listed criterion. Diagnosis is not met by having every symptom on the list.
Symptoms of addiction often present with a combination of physical, behavioral, and psychological signs. Signs of addiction may vary widely based on the specific substance used, the severity of the addiction, and individual genetics and brain chemistry.
Physical Signs
Physical signs of addiction can occur due to increased tolerance, withdrawals, and general physical changes to someone’s system from drug use.
Some physical changes are easily identified as addiction red flags. But other changes may be subtle and not immediately associated with drug use. Physical signs of addiction may also change as the condition progresses and become more severe.
Early physical signs of substance abuse can include:
- Increased tolerance to the drug
- Sleep changes
- Weight fluctuations
- Changes to appearance
- Worsening hygiene
- Looking tired a lot
Later physical signs of substance abuse can include:
- Track makes
- Pupil changes
- Persistent fatigue
- Breathing changes (very fast or very slow)
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Blank stare
- Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headache, or shaking
Behavioral Signs
Addiction warning signs also often include behavior changes. An occasional change in behavior is common especially among teens. Changes may be subtle at first. However, addiction behavior changes often become more noticeable over time.
Behavioral signs of addiction may develop for a variety of reasons. For example, changes in the brain can occur that rewire the reward system. In addition, behavior may change due to the increased effort and time spent obtaining and using substances. Someone with an addiction may have their day revolve around finding opportunities to use.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, possible behavior signs of addiction include:
- Neglecting typical responsibilities
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Increased secrecy
- Spending time with different friends than usual
- Not caring about physical appearance
- Missing work or school
- Getting into more arguments or disagreements with family members
- Risky behaviors such as driving too fast or spending time in dangerous environments
Psychological/Emotional Signs
When you consider substance abuse, you may think physical signs of addiction are one of the main signs of dependency on drugs. But psychological signs are also common.
Psychological and emotional signs of drug abuse occur for a few reasons, including chemical changes that occur in the brain’s reward system. Substance abuse affects how your brain regulates reward, stress, and mood.
For example, some substances, such as stimulants, increase dopamine production, which creates feelings of pleasure. You also produce dopamine naturally when you do something fun or pleasurable.
But over time, your brain may come to depend on a substance to produce those “good” feelings, and natural sources of fun and pleasure may not feel as rewarding. This can create psychological signs of addiction, including:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Denial
- A sense of emptines
- Restlessness
Signs by Substance Category
Signs of addiction, including physical, behavioral, and psychological, may vary according to the substance used. General signs of addiction can also occur with any of the drugs listed below. But other addiction red flags may be different based on the specific drugs listed below. Withdrawal symptoms can also vary by substance.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It alters brain chemicals and slows brain activity. Signs of alcohol abuse include:
- Slurred speech
- Balance issues
- Flushed face
- Night sweats
- Slowed reaction time
- Irritability
When withdrawing from alcohol, the brain can become overactive. This can lead to common withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Insomnia
Stimulants
Stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, speed up the central nervous system. They also affect brain chemicals, increasing dopamine activity.
Signs of stimulant addition may include:
- Dilated pupils
- High energy
- Weight loss
- Aggressive behavior
- Staying awake for lengthy periods
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, stimulants can also have a lethal effect on blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate.
With stimulant addiction, your brain responds by making less of its own dopamine. If the drug is stopped, dopamine levels drop below baseline. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms, such as:
- Depression
- Extreme fatigue
- Low motivation
Benzos
Benzos slow down the central nervous system. They produce feelings of calm and reduce overall brain excitability.
Signs of benzodiazepine addiction can include:
- Slurred speech
- Lethargy
- Poor coordination
- Drowsiness
- Slower reactions
Withdrawing from benzos can have similar effects as alcohol withdrawal, Possible symptoms include:
- Rebound anxiety worse than baseline
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Irritability
Opioids
Opioids work in the body by attaching to specific receptors in the brain that reduce pain signals. This class of drugs promotes relaxation and has a calming effect.
Their effects on the body include slowing down critical functions, such as alertness and respiratory rate.
Even when taken for a legitimate medical problem causing pain, they can become addictive.
Possible signs of opioid addiction include:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Drowsiness
- Needle marks
- Skin infections
- Memory problems
According to the American Psychological Association, opioid withdrawal symptoms can be severe in some cases.
Symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hot/cold flashes
- Agitation
Tolerance and Dependence vs. Addiction
If you have a loved one that uses drugs, you might wonder how to tell if someone is addicted, and when does drug use become addiction?
These are important questions. Not everyone that uses drugs develops a dependence or addiction. You might hear some people use drug dependence and addiction interchangeably. While dependence can lead to addiction, they are not the same thing. Additionally, drug tolerance is also sometimes misunderstood.
Understanding the clinical difference between tolerance, dependence, and addiction is important to determine the best treatment path forward.
Drug tolerance means your body adapted to the substance because of continued use. As a person’s tolerance increases, they need a higher dose of the drug for it to have the same effect. That effect may be decreased pain, relaxation, or a “high” feeling. Increased tolerance is a physiological response that occurs even if a medication is taken as prescribed.
Dependence and tolerance are related, but the physical process is different. With dependence, your body gets used to the drug and without it, withdrawal symptoms occur, which may vary in intensity
The severity of symptoms may depend on:
- The drug used
- Route of use
- Duration of use
- Frequency
- Individual genetics
Someone can have tolerance and dependence without being an addict. When these factors are combined with compulsive use, addiction is likely present.
Addiction goes beyond the physical adaptations that lead to tolerance and dependence. It becomes a broader issue that involves cravings and continued use even with the negative effects and consequences.
When to Seek Help
Recognizing the signs someone needs inpatient detox or treatment is the first step to getting a loved one help. Or you may recognize the hold a substance has started to have on your life.
When using a substance creates a pattern that affects you or a loved one’s daily life including relationships, school, or employment, it should not be ignored. The bottom line is if using a substance has changed how you function or you have tried to cut back and it does not stick, it’s essential to seek help.
It is not overreacting or weak to seek help. In fact professional intervention at any stage can make a significant difference in long-term recovery.
How Believe Detox Center Can Help
Seeking help for substance addiction can feel overwhelming. But it is possible to take that first step into a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
If you are looking for an addiction treatment center in Los Angeles County, the team at Believe Detox Center provides medically supervised detox and care. Their program helps you safely manage withdrawal symptoms. But care does not stop there. The team helps address various aspects of addiction in a stable environment.
Treatment programs are individualized to meet you where you are right now. The goal is to help you break the addiction. But also provide the skills that support long-term stability.
It is possible to create a new life without addiction. A conversation is the first step.
Please call Believe Detox Center at (888) 780-0904 to speak confidentially with an admissions specialist and learn what support might look like for you.
