The signs and symptoms of substance abuse are many. They can generally be recognized and alert people to an addiction than an individual may have.

The emotional or psychological symptoms of substance abuse can include insomnia, anxiety or panic attacks. Drug abuse can cause changes to the central nervous system or brain chemistry that can alter mood or perception. These changes can resemble mental illnesses. Some hallucinogens have been known to trigger hallucinations long after a person has stopped taking the drug. Psychological symptoms can also include depression that can lead to suicide.

Some of the physical symptoms of a drug abuse problem can include sickness and a physical dependence on the substance which can cause periods of severe withdraw. An addict’s eating habits and sleep schedule may change.

The symptoms of a substance abuse problem can not simply be broken down into emotional and physical symptoms as they can often overlap. Naturally, an emotional problem can cause a physical reaction. For example, a person with lowered inhibitions or psychological trauma may have unprotected sex or commit a violent crime – possibly while not even being aware of the event. Someone with altered perceptions may have a motor vehicle accident or injure themselves or others in some other way.

The substances to which people can become abusively addicted are far too numerous to list here, but at lease one should be mentioned. Alcohol is perhaps one of the easiest to acquire and one of the most often abused substances – even among adolescents. Depression is common with alcohol abuse and can be severe enough for a person to commit suicide.

A person abusing a substance might not always be aware of their problem. They may think that they have it under control or nothing bad will happen. In that case, it may be up to others – friends or family – to recognize the problem and takes steps to help the addict.