10 Narcotic Abuse Symptoms to Look Out For

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Narcotic abuse can quickly become dangerous and lead to addiction, often before a person fully understands the risks involved.  If you are concerned that someone you care about may be misusing narcotics, recognizing the warning signs may help you to intervene early. Below are ten common signs of narcotic abuse to look for. 

1. Drowsiness

If someone is drowsy all the time, he or she may be abusing prescription narcotics. These medications cause feelings of fatigue and drowsiness, which go along with the euphoric high in larger doses.

2. Constipation

A common side effect of narcotics, especially opioids, is constipation. A person abusing them often experiences constipation. In some cases, the constipation is so severe that it leads to abdominal pain and bowel obstruction. 

3. Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath may be a sign that an individual who abuses narcotics, especially when inhaled or injected, has developed a condition called drug-induced interstitial lung disease. This is due to chronic inflammation that leads to irreversible scarring of the lung tissue, also called pulmonary fibrosis. 

4. Small Pupils

Small pupils and dry mouth are signs of narcotic abuse.

Small pupils are a common symptom of narcotic abuse. In fact, doctors often check for pupil status to indicate a possible intoxication from narcotics.  With narcotic intoxication, the pupils become very small depending on how much of the drug the individual has taken. Sometimes this appearance is referred to as pinpoint pupils.

5. Withdrawal Symptoms

If a person is abusing narcotics, he or she may already be dependent on the drug. A person who has developed dependence often experiences withdrawal symptoms when they are without the substance. Some of the more common symptoms of narcotic withdrawal include flu-like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety and restlessness and muscle pain.

6. Strange Behavior

Strange or secretive behavior could be a sign that someone is abusing narcotics. The person may be unwilling to talk about his or her whereabouts or may be hiding the narcotics somewhere.  Avoiding friends and family is also another indicator that there may be a narcotic addiction. Also, many people will start to avoid others whom they once enjoyed being around.

Top 5 Hidden Signs of Narcotic Addiction You Need to Be Aware Of

An addiction to narcotics is very dangerous to the individual who is struggling, and those around them. Hidden signs of addiction may be overlooked, and it’s important to be aware of what they may be to bring them to the surface.

7. Vomiting

Vomiting may be another sign of narcotics abuse, especially if they are dependent, as nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of withdrawal. 

8. Red Face and Neck

Facial flushing is a common symptoms of narcotics addiction. This is because opioids like heroin directly impact the nervous system and blood vessels, causing an increase in blood flow to the skin. Another reason may be due to the body recognizing the substance as a foreign invader, leading to an inflammatory response that occurs during allergic reactions. 

9. Insensitivity to Pain

Narcotics work by changing the way the brain and nervous system process pain signals. Over time, the body may develop a tolerance to the substance, resulting in the need for more of the substance to achieve the same level of pain control. As use continues, physical dependence will develop, meaning that the body can not function normally without it. 

Another thing to be aware of is opioid induced hyperalgesia. This is a condition where the narcotic actually causes the body to become more sensitive to pain rather than providing relief, leading to an increase in pain awareness. 

10. Dry Mouth and Throat

Dry mouth often occurs when a person abuses street narcotics like heroin and opium. However, this can also occur with prescription opioid use. Dry mouth results from a depressed central nervous system that inhibits the autonomic nervous system’s production of saliva. 

People who are abusing narcotics have many telltale signs of drug addiction that may be obvious to others. If you believe someone you know is abusing narcotics, look for these signs and help the person seek treatment as soon as possible. Stopping abuse before it becomes addiction can be much better for the individual in the long run.