Going to college opens the door to new temptations for teens and young adults. When they use drugs, their friends and family may notice changes in their behavior, health and psychological function. It’s important to know the signs of drug addiction and to get college students help when they exhibit these signs.
Behavioral Signs of Drug Addiction
Teens and young adults go through many behavioral changes because they’re figuring out who they are or who they want to be. However, when many of these changes are present at the same time, it can indicate drug addiction
One major red flag is poor grades or skipping class. College students who were once active in sports or other school programs might lose interest or motivation. Classmates and teachers might complain about their performance or lack of attendance.
Learn More About Signs of Drug Use
Being secretive can also signal drug use or addiction. Students might avoid eye contact, demand privacy and lock their doors. College drug users could also act isolated, suspicious or withdrawn. Some use eyedrops to relieve bloodshot eyes, and strong cologne or perfume to cover the smell of drugs.
Getting into trouble often is another clue. Some college students run out of money to pay for their drug habits, so they ask classmates or roommates to borrow some. When that isn’t enough, they may steal the money or valuables to secure drug funds.
Health and Physical Signs of Drug Addiction
Not worrying about appearance or health is common for teens and young adults addicted to drugs. Personal grooming becomes less important, leading to their body, breath or clothes smelling unusual.
One telltale sign of drug addiction or substance abuse is consistently bloodshot eyes or very small or large pupils. Users might also get frequent nosebleeds if they snort drugs such as cocaine and meth. They could have poor coordination and won’t talk about how they got bruises or other injuries. Often, they don’t even know how the injuries got there.
Another major sign is lack of sleep. Those struggling from addiction go from having a lot of energy to having none at all. Since different drugs make you eat more or less, they might gain or lose weight as well. Some other health-related signs of drug addiction include:
- Seizures
- Shaking
- Slurred speech
- Tremors
Psychological Signs of Drug Addiction
It can be hard to attribute changes in personality to drug use, because this is a natural sign of growing up. When these changes are destructive to a person’s well being, however, they become concerning. Confusing or unexplained personality changes is one example.
However, mood swings are the biggest psychological sign of a problem. Drug addiction can make users laugh one minute and argue the next. There isn’t always a trigger for this mood change. They might also go through periods of agitation or hyperactivity, and could become scared, paranoid or withdrawn for no reason.
Getting Help for Signs of Drug Addiction
If you see that your college student or classmate shows many signs of drug addiction, contact Sober College in Los Angeles, California. Our unique center takes a unique approach to young adult recovery, offering both treatment and the opportunity to earn college credits in:
- Creative Writing
- Health and Wellness
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
- Sociology
We help college students and young adults break free of the control drugs have over their lives. Discover how going to a quality drug rehab center can help them conquer addiction.
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