Sometimes the most obvious addiction symptoms are simply observing that something is wrong or different.
Understand that the person addicted is often the last one to know there is a problem, or be willing to admit that there may be a problem. If you have these drug addiction symptoms you should consider going into drug rehab!
Addicts will continue to use regardless of everything that is happening to them and happening around them. They may drain the family bank account, lose their job, fail in school, damage relationships, ruin their health, or run into problems with the law.
- Has their appearance changed; they don't care how they look?
- Are they eating properly?
- Have they lost weight, or have they gained weight?
- Have you seen needle marks on their arms or legs?
- Are they slowing down?
- Do they have the shakes?
- Are their hands cold and sweaty?
- Have you smelled something on their breath or their clothing?
- Do their eyes appear red?
- Are their pupils dilated?
- Is their face puffy?
- Has their coloring changed, become flushed or pale?
- Do they have a blank stare?
- Has their physical coordination changed? Are they staggering?
- Have they missed a lot of school or work?
- Have their sleep habits changed? Are they always tried?
- Have they become lazy?
- Are they hyper?
- Do they talk a million miles an hour? Do they slur their words?
- Have you seen drug paraphernalia?
Research spanning more than 30 years has identified key concepts, beliefs, clinical and educational practices, and program components common to most TC programs. These elements reflect the two principles that drive TC operation: the community as change agent and the efficacy of self help.
Typically, TCs residential facilities separate from other programs and located away from the drug related environment. As a participant in the community, the resident in treatment is expected to adhere to strict and explicit behavioral norms. These norms are reinforced with specificcontingencies (rewards and punishments) directed toward developing self control and responsibility. The resident will progress through a hierarchy of increasingly important roles, with greater privileges and responsibilities. Other aspects of the TC's "Community as method" therapeutic approach focus on changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior through individual and group therapy, group sessions with peers, community-based learning, confrontation, games and role playing.
TC members are expected to become role models who actively reflect the values and teaching of the community. Ordered routine activities are intended to counter the characteristically disordered lives of these residents and teach them how to plan, set and achieve goals and be accountable.
Ultimately, participation in a TC is designed to help people appropriately and constructively identify, express, and manage their feelings. The concepts of "right living" (learning personal and social responsibility and ethics) and "acting as if" (behaving as the person should be rather than has been) are integrated into the TC groups, meetings, and seminars. These activities are intended to heighten awareness of specific attitudes or behaviors and their impact on oneself and the social environment.
TCs are physically and programmatically designed to emphasize the experience of community within the residence. Newcomers are immersed in the community and must fully participate in it. It is expected that in doing so, their identification with and ties to their previous drug-using life will lessen and assimilate new prosocial attitudes, behaviors and responsibilities.
Although the residential capacity of TCs can vary widely, a typical program in a community-based setting accommodates 40 to 80 people. Some for example situated on the grounds of former camps and ranches or in suburban houses. Others have been established in jails, prisons and shelters. Larger agencies may support several facilities in different settings to meet various clinical and administrative needs.
