“I was in a race to see if I would die from the outside in or the inside out.”
― Laurie Halse Anderson
Substance Abuse
Definition
What are the Physical Symptoms of Substance Abuse?
- Bloodshot eyes
- Abnormally sized pupils
- Sudden weight change
- Unusual smell
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Impaired coordination
What are the Behavioral/Social changes due to Substance Abuse?
Behavioral Changes
- Drop in attendance or performance at work or school
- Often getting into trouble, using substance while driving or operating machines
- Secret or suspicious behavior
- Change in sleep and appetite
- Unexplained change in personality or attitude, e.x. mood swings, irritability, outbursts
- Periods of hyperactivity
- Lack of motivation
- Uncaused fearfulness, anxiousness, or paranoid
Social changes
- Sudden change of friends, hobbies, and places to hangout
- Legal problem deriving from substance used
- Financial problems
- Use of substance despite the problems it causes in relationships
Did you know?
19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017
Almost 74% of adults suffering from a substance use disorder in 2017 struggled with an alcohol use disorder.
americanaddictioncenters.org/
Teenagers and people with mental health disorders are more at risk for drug use and addiction than other populations.
Environmental factors that may increase a person’s risk of addiction include a
- chaotic home environment and abuse
- parent’s drug use and attitude toward drugs
- peer influences
- community attitudes toward drugs
- and poor academic achievement
americanaddictioncenters.org/
In Popular Culture
Movies
- A Star is Born
- The Wolf of Wall Streets
- Flight
- The Spectacular Now
- Requiem for a Dream
TV Shows
- Shameless
- Bojack Horseman (18+)
- This Is Us (Kevin)
- It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Songs
- The A Team - Ed Sheeran
- Rehab - Amy Winehouse
- Sober - Demi Lovato
- Dark Times - The Weeknd
Podcasts
- The Addicted Mind
- The Addiction Podcast
- Last Day
- Addiction Unlimited