20 Signs of Addiction, Part Three

We've been working through an article entitled "20 Secret Signs of Addiction: Learn the tell-tale signs that a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol" by Melanie Haiken, Caring.com. The whole article can be referenced here: URL: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100260596> 1=31036.
This is our third group of five.

I know from personal experience that knowing whether someone you love has a problem with alcohol or drugs isn't as straightforward as it sounds. Most people who overuse alcohol and drugs become adept at disguising their behavior. Shame, embarrassment, and fear of consequences will cause someone to go to extreme lengths to hide what they're doing. In many cases, the person who's drinking too much or using drugs doesn't want to recognize or admit that he's not in control of the situation.

Sadly, many times we don't find out until a tragedy, such as a drunken driving accident or an overdose, has occurred. Knowing these 20 secret signs of addiction can help you prevent that from happening.

11. Can I try the diet you're on? Crystal meth, cocaine, and other "uppers" stimulate energy to the point that people feel like they can go and go and go without eating. Many have no appetite at all. A natural side effect of this behavior pattern is, of course, rapid weight loss. However, since "weight loss is usually seen as a positive thing in our society … it's often overlooked as a symptom of drug abuse," says Joseph Garbely of Friends Hospital in Philadelphia.

12. Squeaky clean: Overuse of certain products signals someone's trying to hide something. Constant use of gum or breath mints? Someone's trying to mask the smell of alcohol. The same goes for excessive use of mouthwash or hand gel (and constantly smelling like these products). Look for an increase in the use of antistatic dryer sheets treated with a fragrance or frequent use of eyedrops (especially if they go through bottles quickly or have to use them first thing in the morning).

13. The bathroom game: Someone who's abusing prescription drugs won't be able to resist the temptation to scrounge them in your house or other people's houses, usually by making pretenses to visit the bathroom. Pay attention to overly frequent trips, and taking a long time during bathroom visits. Hint: Listen for the sound of water running for an extended time to disguise the noise of cabinets and drawers opening and closing or when visiting a home with more than one bathroom a guest finds excuses to use a different bathroom each time.

14. Mood management: Many family members describe the emotional experience of living with an alcoholic or addict as being like a roller-coaster ride. Moods can go from numb and calm to extremely aggressive within minutes, often with no apparent explanation. Someone smoking a lot of pot will be in "slow-down mode, with no ambition or energy," says Liliane Desjardins, an addiction specialist and cofounder of Pavillion International, a recovery treatment center in Texas. "They're playing it mellow, but what's really happening is that thinking and feeling are impaired, as is the ability to make rational choices or to follow up on decisions."

15. Sleeping sickness: Alcohol and many common drugs are sedatives, or "downers," which means they make you feel more relaxed but also make you sleep, and sleep heavily. If you notice that someone you're concerned about falls asleep at inappropriate times or has a hard time waking up, pay attention. Excessive sleepiness can also signal crashing out after a drug binge.. "After cocaine or meth binges, users become listless and very low on energy and will sleep for days," says Harold Urschel, author of Healing the Addicted Brain and medical director of Enterhealth, a recovery center in Dallas. One clue that this isn't just a flu or a need to "sleep in" is that, just as suddenly, the person wakes up with a ravenous appetite.

~Shawn