Drug Dependence & Abuse Symptoms

The signs and symptoms displayed by a person depend on what substances the person has abused. A person who has not abused drugs extensively may experience unpleasant symptoms and may seek help from family members and friends. Chronic drug abusers generally know what to expect from their drug use and rarely seek help for themselves.

• Most agents cause a change in level of consciousness—usually a decrease in responsiveness. A person using drugs may be hard to awaken or may act bizarrely.

• Suppression of brain activity can be so severe that the person may stop breathing, which can cause death.

• Alternatively, the person may be agitated, anxious, and unable to sleep. Hallucinations are possible.

• Abnormal vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure) are possible and can be life threatening. Vital sign readings can be increased, decreased, or absent completely.

• Sleepiness, confusion, and coma are common. Because of this decline in alertness, the drug abuser is at risk for assault or rape, robbery, and accidental death.

• Skin can be cool and sweaty, or hot and dry.

• Chest pain is possible and can be caused by heart or lung damage from drug abuse.

• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are possible. Vomiting blood, or blood in bowel movements, can be life threatening.

• Withdrawal syndromes are variable depending on the agent but can be life threatening.

• Sharing IV needles among people can transmit infectious diseases, including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and hepatitis types B and C.



• Many common household drugs and chemicals can be abused. Gasoline and other hydrocarbons are frequently abused by adolescents and preadolescents. Over-the-counter drugs, such as cold medications, are commonly taken in excessive doses by adolescents and young adults to get high. Prescription medications are additional examples of drugs that are abused and that can be obtained illegally (without a prescription). 



• Amphetamines and cocaine cause impotence in men. Sildenafil (Viagra) has been used by cocaine and amphetamine users to counteract impotence. Because Viagra is generally prescribed for middle-aged and older men, a younger person must be questioned as to why he has a need for Viagra.