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Drug addiction signs come in a variety of ways but drug addiction signs always point to personal life crisis and potential disaster for the drug abuser and those around him or her. Drug addiction signs have been broken down clinically over the past 50 years. Drug addiction signs have continued to become more prevalent in the population and more is known about the disease of addiction as research continues.

The following are some diagnostic guidelines that can be helpful in recognizing drug addiction signs*. Understand that drug addiction signs can vary depending on the drug used and we will identify individual drug addiction signs for specific drugs later in this page.

1. Drug is often consumed in larger quantities and for longer periods than planned.
2. Increasing inability to control or decrease drug use.
3. Life begins to center around obtaining and using and recovering from drug.
4. Family, friends, work and hobbies are neglected in favor of the drug.
5. Drug use continues despite physical and mental problems that are caused by using.
6. Increased tolerance as it takes greater quantities of the drug to achieve the desired effect.
7. Withdrawal symptoms are felt when drug use is stopped and drug is taken to prevent withdrawal.
8. Overwhelming desire and compulsion to use the drug.

Recognizing one or all of these characteristics is a widely accepted measurement of the occurrence of drug addiction signs.

Dr. Paul's at the Bay addresses each of these characteristics and uses proven treatments to enable greater success of lasting abstinence. Our goal is to reduce and eliminate drug use and address and minimize the medical and social consequences that arise from drug use. We offer short-term and long-term outpatient programs. Our clients receive individual attention from qualified, experienced, licensed drug abuse counselors who will assess and recommend an individualized treatment plan. All this takes place in an upscale environment on the coast of St. Pete Beach, Florida. Dr. Paul's at the Bay accepts many forms of insurance and studies show that $4 to $7 are saved for every $1 spent on treatment.

If your drug of choice is cocaine, you already know that money problems are frequent drug addiction signs. Other signs include chest pain, headaches, malnutrition, increased temperature and nausea. Similar to ampehtamine use which can cause irritability, paranoia, delirium aggressiveness and impulsive behavior. Most stimulant abuse causes weight loss, rapid breathing and can lead to addiction.

Opioids include heroin, morphine, opium and codeine. Drug addiction signs include persistent drowsiness, confusion, constipation and breathing problems. These drugs are injected, smoked or snorted and lead to tolerance and addiction.

Marijuana drug addiction signs include slowed thinking and reactions, confusion, reduced memory and increased anxiety and panic attacks. Marijuana is often smoked and tolerance and addiction occur with this drug as well.

Depressants have had a recent resurgence as barbiturates have been joined by newer drugs GHB, Rohypnol and Xanax and Valium. Most often swallowed, depressants cause drowsiness, poor judgment, slurred speech, poor reflexes, irritability and addiction.

Dr. Paul's at the Bay can help you beat these addictions. Call us today for a confidential consultation.

* Resource used is the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services