Behavior Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Drug addiction causes permanent changes in the way the human brain thinks and reacts, which may result in behavioral changes that impact health as well as the social interactions. Behavioral symptoms of drug addiction depend on the drug of abuse, frequency and duration of use, as well as the individual, and may include mood changes and harmful effects to others. Consider these facts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse about the behavioral symptoms of drug addiction.

Paranoia

• Paranoia is a symptom of drug addiction that may cause people to avoid contact with others, hide and stay away from public places.

Depression

• Drug addiction may cause depression, which may result in behaviors such as social withdrawal, changes in sleep and attempts at suicide.

Aggression

• Aggression toward pets, children and partners, as well as strangers, are behavioral symptoms that affect the families and communities of people with drug addiction.

Emotional Outbursts

• Sudden emotional outbursts in people with drug addiction is a behavior that may jeopardize business and personal relationships.

Poor Hygiene

• Poor hygiene is a behavioral symptom of drug addiction that may include damage to the teeth from not brushing, infections with lice, sores and wounds from injecting or injuries, and poor nutrition.

Criminal Activity

• Committing crimes such as burglary or prostitution to get money for drugs are behaviors that people with drug addiction may not otherwise perform.

Risk Taking

• An increase in risk taking, such as having unsafe sex, sharing drug equipment and supplies, and trading sex for drugs, are behavioral symptoms of drug addiction that may have dangerous impacts on health.