Enlightenment

[MajestyJo]

Someone wanted to know what the signs were that someone was in active addiction. I am sure others can add to this, but off the top of my head my thoughts are:

1) The lies, the dishonesty. Not being able to look you in the eye and a puttinf off of giving you a straight and open answer.

2) Always broke, money seems to always disappear and with nothing to show for it.

3) Friends who call and ask for your loved one. Chances are they haven't seen them or have been used as alibis.

4) Jittery nerves, anxious. Often go to doctor to prescribe something to "calm them down" which is generally for something they can come down off the drugs with.

5) Depression, alcohol and pot are both depressants.

6) Lack of appetite.

7) Lack of interest in what is going on around them, no interest in usual hobbies and routines.

8) Skipping school, late reports, homework not done, late hours at the office and on the job, all signs that they are other than where they say they are.

9) Major attitude, belligerence and total rebellion although always not caused by drugs.

10) When I volunteered at the Young Offender unit, a lot of them got high on the chase, the not getting caught of theft. They stole to obtain their drugs, but a lot of the high for them was walking that extra mile, especially if they were after illegal drugs.

11) Their appearance changes, not always putting on clean clothes, not caring how they look. Often the drug eats up their personal energy and their hair for example becomes listless, lifeless, as well as unclean. They get symptoms of malnutrition and their skin loses it's lustre and they develop eating disorders.

12) The lack of ambition and little goal orientation and no direction in their lives.

13) Look at the people they hang out with. Are they the type of people they can bring home to 'mother' and the age of these people, are they a lot older than they are.

14) No contact, when you don't hear from them, a sure sign they are up to something, whether they are using their drug of choice or substituting with someone else. I always knew, if I didn't hear from them, they were out doing more research.

It wasn't so noticeable with my son, but with people in the program, especially sponsees and some of my proteges I took under my wing. I would have a couple of sponsees and about six proteges. No news, was not good news.

Never really thought about it before. Hope this is of some help, and hopefully others will add to the list. I certainly will if more come to mind.