Characteristics of a Drug Addict

Drug addicts can still be lovable, funny, regular every day people.  They do have some characteristics; however, that make them stand out just a bit from others, if one knows how to recognize them.  First, a person who is an alcoholic or drug addict can maintain a regular career, but not forever.  However, they are quite probably the person who is using up their sick days and personal days, as well as vacation days, right off the bat by calling in on Mondays because they are not quite over the partying and drugging they did over the weekend.   He or she loses control because they get more into the alcohol or the drugs and is less able to keep themselves straightened out well enough to work a full work week.

You think they may be a hermit.  A drug addict would just as soon stay at home and get their fix then go out and face the world.  They will make excuses to not socialize, to not be at gatherings, events, eventually even to not be able to make it through a family member’s birthday, or through a special occasion, or holiday.  The drug takes over their every waking moment.

They could lose their job.  He or she does not care or is unable to care because they are consumed by all the thoughts and actions as well as reaction being directly or indirectly related to the drug addiction.  They could get arrested or kicked out of their home.  Even with all these things going on, the drug addict just gets deeper involved in drugs.

Physical and psychological characteristics stand out as well.  The drug addict may end up losing or gaining weight for an otherwise unexplained reason.  He or she may begin having mood swings, irritability, and there may be paranoia.  Socially, the drug addict could become a recluse or change an entire circle of friends as they begin hanging out with other drug addicts instead of the people they used to run around with.

If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it is usually a duck.  If the person has the characteristics of a drug addict, chances are he or she is a drug addict.  The key is to make the decision to seek help so that the characteristics of the drug addict can be corrected and the old personality and loved one underneath can come back out and be himself again.