Signs and symptoms of drug addiction
- You take more and more of the drug over time;
- You want to cut down or quit but you can't;
- You spend a lot of time getting the drug or thinking about where to get it;
- You feel like you really must use or take the drug;
- You repeatedly can't do things at work, school, or home because of your drug use;
- You continue using the drug despite persistent or recurring negative consequences;
- You stop or reduce important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of your use;
- You often use the drug in dangerous situations (e.g. when driving); and
- You experience withdrawal when you try to stop using or when you reduce your use
Consequences of drug abuse
Long term drug abuse has direct and indirect consequences.
- You no longer enjoy the things you used to like because long term substance use has affected your brain;
- You cope poorly with stress and you have problems making decisions;
- You have difficulty learning and remembering;
- You eat badly, sleep poorly and you do things impulsively;
- You become at risk of trauma, violence, injury, and communicable diseases;
- You drop out of school, you lose your job or your home, you fight with your friends and family, or you commit a crime to feed your habit;
- You might harm the development of the baby if you take drugs while you are pregnant.
