Unwillingless to discuss the signs of abuse is a common factor in stimulant addiction.
The strongest sign of stimulant addiction is when someone is unable to stop abusing stimulant drugs, even if their drug use has hurt them or others. They may want to stop or they may not, but they will not be able to because this kind of behavior is the definition of addiction.
Someone who overdoses on stimulants and experiences extreme cardiovascular issues is likely addicted to stimulants. They may not want to stop abusing them even after an issue like this.
An extremely high tolerance for stimulants that causes the person to take more and more of the drug each time is a sign of stimulant addiction.
One common sign of stimulant addiction is when individuals refer to these drugs by one of their street names. Some of the key terms, according to the DEA, are:
Those who abuse cocaine or other stimulants “in a binge pattern––taking the drug repeatedly within a relatively short period of time, at increasingly higher doses” can become addicted very quickly as a result of this behavior (NIDA).
Some people will become very upset and psychologically distressed if they are unable to get access to stimulants. This is a sign of dependence which often occurs along with addiction.
Psychosis caused by the overuse of stimulants (and including symptoms like hallucinations, violent behavior, and paranoia) is common in addicted individuals.
Those who abuse stimulants by injecting them run a higher risk of contracting HIV and other transmittable diseases, which if they have already done so, can be a sign of long term abuse and addiction.
Chronic headaches occur from long time stimulant abuse.
Anosmia (or the loss of one’s sense of smell) occurs in long time cocaine abusers who snort the drug, another sign of addiction.
Tweakers (or meth abusers who stay up for “3-15 days”) are clearly addicts (CESAR). They also usually have extreme dental problems and sores on their body from itching.
High blood pressure is a sign of long-term abuse of stimulants and could also point to addiction.
Those who become addicted to stimulants will have experienced extreme problems in their lives as a result of their stimulant abuse including:
If you notice someone suddenly starts spending all their time with others who abuse stimulants and neglecting old friends, this can be an early sign of addiction.
Depression and apathy toward all other parts of the addicted person’s life will occur and the individual will never be happy unless they are high on the drug.
Constant confusion is another sign of chronic stimulant abuse.
Stimulant addicts won’t be able to do anything without the drug and will often crash at the end of their binge cycle, usually attempting to sleep off the withdrawal effects.
Someone who is unwilling to discuss their stimulant abuse, and who especially becomes hostile and violent as a result of it being brought up, is experiencing stimulant addiction and is likely trying to deny its existence.
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