In 2005, Detroit experienced more than 12,716 drug reports alone. Ranging from the use of stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, to widespread use of opiates — including heroin — individuals across Detroit and its surrounding cities struggle daily against the forces of drug addiction. Because experimentation alone can rapidly escalate to physical and psychological dependence, familiarizing yourself with the signs and symptoms of drug addiction can help you recognize the need for treatment in yourself or a loved one.

Physical Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Physical signs of drug addiction can range wildly, depending on the drug of choice. Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines (“speed”) and methamphetamines engender dilated pupils, rapid or irregular heartbeat (tachycardia and arrhythmia), involuntary muscle movements (“tweaking”) or in some cases, formication (the sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin). Opiates, such as heroin and a wide variety of strong prescription painkillers, can cause a host of physical side effects, including difficulty breathing, slowed reflexes and digestive issues such as abdominal cramping, acute diarrhea and severe vomiting. Even “softer” drugs such as marijuana come with physical signs of repeated use, such as bloodshot eyes and  heightened appetite.

Increasing use, due to the development of physical tolerance and the fast-acting but fleeting highs of many illicit drugs, can also indicate drug addiction may be taking hold. The presence of withdrawal symptoms may also indicate the presence of drug addiction, including shaking, muscle jerks (“kicking the habit”), hot and cold flashes, vomiting and mood swings. Because of the physical toll the body undergoes during the withdrawal phase, detoxing should only be attempted in medically supervised, professional drug addiction recovery facilities.

Psychological Symptoms of Drug Addiction

From designer drugs such as ecstasy (MDMA) to street drugs such as methamphetamines, changes in brain chemistry and neuropathways can lead to psychological changes as drug addiction develops. Psychological signs of drug addiction can include depression, anxiety, panic attacks, delusions of grandeur (“God complexes”), breaks with reality and even suicidal ideation. Isolation from former circles of friends and family, unaccounted for personality changes and ongoing or serious lapses in responsibilities can also be hallmark signs of drug addiction.

Psychological signs of drug addiction can also include cues that drug use has moved beyond the individual’s control. Using more frequently — and in greater amounts — than planned, hiding drug use, or preoccupation with the next high are all signs that psychological and physical drug addiction may be present. Legal, workplace, and relationship difficulties — particularly those that stem from drug use yet fail to motivate its end — can also be signs that a drug addiction has taken hold.

Connecting Detroit Residents with Drug Addiction Treatment Options

If you recognize these signs of drug addiction in yourself or a loved one, an inpatient stay at a professional Detroit drug rehabilitation center can help initiate recovery. With comprehensive care programs that incorporate physical detox, psychological counseling, nutrition and exercise regimens, and a support network of sober peers, inpatient drug treatment centers provide effective treatment options for those in Detroit and beyond. Intake and addiction counselors at rehabilitation centers can help you assess a drug problem, understand your treatment options and even assist you in coordinating financial and logistical details of enrollment.