Narcotic Abuse Signs & Symptoms

Author: Emily Oconnor

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While someone might begin taking a narcotic or prescription drug legally to treat pain, they can soon develop an addiction to the drug. Narcotic abuse usually results in narcotic addiction, and narcotic addiction typically begins to rule a person’s life until they get help. Research shows that nearly 14 million Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescriptions in a given year.

Narcotics Abuse Signs and Symptoms

Feelings of apathy and depression are some of the signs that a person is abusing narcotics.

Narcotics are powerful sedative drugs that affect an individual psychologically, physically, and behaviorally. Narcotic addiction can cause a person to behave irrationally and cause them to act in ways that they never would otherwise.

Narcotic abuse signs and symptoms include the following…

• Psychological: Apathy, depression, sleeping problems, rapid mood swings, easily agitated, and anxiety.
• Behavioral: Stealing, pulling away from friends and family, stopping normal activities that make them happy, missing work frequently, secluding themselves from the world, and not paying bills.
• Physical: Dilated pupils, dry mouth, constipation, increased sleeping, dry mucus membranes, and sexual dysfunction.

Although the signs and symptoms of narcotic abuse are noticeable, there are other illnesses that could cause similar effects. If a person is abusing narcotics they should seek out help as soon as possible to avoid any major health problems to occur and to avoid abusing the drug any further.

There are numerous narcotic addiction treatment centers available for people to help them overcome their drug addiction. There are also groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), that are free for people to join. These groups offer solidarity, support, and information to help them stay away from drugs once they have gone through detox.

Narcotic withdrawal symptoms can be extremely difficult for a person to go through on their own once they stop using, and a person should try to find a treatment program to help them get through the detoxification process. Many rehabs are free for people to go to, and there are other rehabs that will only charge a person what they can afford based on their income. Reach out to us to learn more about your treatment options, and visit our online directory to find NA meetings in your local area.

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