How can I tell if someone is addicted to Vicodin?
Whether they got their drug of choice from a pharmacy or a dealer on the street, the behavior tends to be the same. Most addicts may be unaware that they are exhibiting these behaviors – but their co-workers, friends, and family members often notice the changes.
Although drugs have different psychological and physiological effects, dependency shares many common characteristics. If you or a loved one experience any of these effects, it’s time to talk to an addiction specialist.
1. Increasing dosages
With more drug use, tolerance levels increase and drug users will commonly increase their dosages.
2. Changes in mood, concentration and energy levels
As tolerance to Vicodin increases, social activities and interactions may diminish, and a user may begin to withdraw from family and friends. Additionally, when attempting to hide a drug dependency, abusers can become very defensive about their secret, and perhaps react inappropriately to simple requests or questions about the drug use. A drug user may also try to conceal their dependency by hiding drugs engaging in atypical behaviors.
3. Less personally and professionally responsible
A dependent person may call in sick to work more often, and neglect regular household activities and personal hygiene routines. Sleeping and eating habits change, and cold like symptoms such as a cough, runny nose and red, glazed eyes may appear.
4. Sound and light sensitivity
Addiction can cause oversensitivity to normal sensations and sensory hallucinations may begin to occur as well.
5. Seeking prescription extensions
A dependent person will aggressively seek additional prescriptions or extensions despite improvement in the originally diagnosed medical condition. The user may visit different physicians or even try to purchase drugs through unlicensed sources. A drug dependent individual may even begin to associate with other dependent people in an effort to seem more normal or even in an attempt to seek more drug sources.
6. Unsuccessful attempts to quit
A dependent person may have tried to quit independently, however continues to return to drug use because of overwhelming physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
7. Memory Loss
A very clear indication of dependence is when the person regularly forgets events that have taken place and appears to suffer blackouts.
If you see many of these behaviors in someone in your life, please do not hesitate to call us. We’ll help you get a better understanding of what you’re witnessing and how to help.
Get free advice from an addiction specialist at Clarity Intensive Outpatient Opiate Treatment (I.O.O.T.). Call 877-987-3324.
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