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COMING OFF DRUGS: TELL-TALE SIGNS OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCE-BEHAVIOUR AND APPEARANCE
One major problem faces the families of drug addicts or alcoholics - their own unwillingness to believe the worst. Nobody wants to admit that their child or their partner may be addicted to drugs or alcohol; therefore they may unconsciously try to avoid facing the truth.
Here are some of the signs by which the family can tell what is really going on.
Behaviour-Addicts and alcoholics begin to show sudden and inappropriate mood swings while they are under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. They may be obviously high at an inappropriate time, or they may be utterly depressed for no good reason.
There is also often a lack of concentration and an impaired memory. Those who are using cannabis can become extremely apathetic.
Appearance-Drug addicts often lose weight and develop a fragile look. Pupils may be enormous (amphetamines and cocaine) or abnormally small (opiates). Those who are snorting drugs may have a permanently sniffing nose. A general sleepiness alternates with sudden snapping awake. Addicts who inject will show scars known as 'track marks' where they have put in the needle - or they will wear long-sleeved clothes to hide these even in the height of summer. Addicts may spend a lot of time rubbing their noses (if they have been snorting) or yawning and perspiring. Sleeplessness might be due to amphetamines and cocaine.
Alcoholics are often flushed and sweaty. You can smell drink on their breath, or even smell the alcohol coming out of their pores. Alcoholics in the early stages, however, may show none of these signs.
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