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Awareness Of Substance Abuse Presentation Signs Can Help Prevent Disaster

By Paul Graham


Most health authorities agree that addiction and dependency upon a variety of substances, both legal and illegal, is now the biggest health problem. Not only is addiction dangerous to the health of the abuser, but their behaviour often cause enormous, even disastrous social problems and can even destroy the very fabric of once well adjusted families. The first line of defence is to be observant. It is important to know the ways in which substance abuse presentation becomes a likely scenario.

It is extremely alarming to learn that more than two and a half million visits to emergency care facilities each year in the United States are directly related to overdoses. More people die of drug overdose than people perishing in road accidents. Thousands of children younger than fifteen start experimenting with dangerous substances every day. Half of them will continue their abusive behaviour and will become hopelessly addicted.

It would be sad enough if addicts only destroyed their own lives. Unfortunately, they often destroy the lives of those loved ones around them too. Their dependency make them extremely selfish. Their own needs are the only priorities in their lives. They do not care what damage and heart ache they cause to those that love them. They do not respond to efforts to help them.

Families need to look out for the signs. One early warning sign is when someone all of a sudden lose all interest in activities and sports that used to be important and enjoyable to them. This is often accompanied by a sudden change in personality. The one moment the person in question acts morosely, refuse to communicate and exhibit every sign of severe depression. The very next minute they become euphoric, chatty and engaging.

A red flag should pop up when a loved one starts to lose weight rapidly despite eating regularly. Many addicts simply stop eating altogether. Most harmful substances cause weight loss. The person concerned struggle to sleep, often roaming around all night only to sleep through an entire day. When they wake up they are often moody and extremely restless. These signs should rightly cause deep concern.

Addicts often display tell tale physical signs. They are prone to incessant sweating. Their eyes are permanently red and dilated. They vomit all the time. Their noses run continuously. They often struggle to breathe and in some cases they develop a hacking cough. When these signs manifest themselves the indications are that the person concerned is already totally addicted and that they need help urgently.

Unfortunately, very view addicts are willing to admit that they have a problem and that they need professional help. Families and loved ones often do not know what to do. They cannot allow the addict to continue to destroy their lives but they do not want to abdicate responsibility. Many parents feel as if they are the cause of the problem.

Addiction is an ugly and destructive disease. Everybody around the addict suffers. Help is available but addicts need to be motivated to change their lives. One thing is certain. Families that simply accept and submit to the damage caused by addicts are not doing anyone a favour, least of all the addict.




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