Warning Signs of Someone at Risk of Drug Addiction
“Drugs threaten life, and poison society” — a slogan familiar to every Thai person. The drug problem is a global concern, and countries everywhere work to fight its spread. Thailand is no exception, and the problem only seems to grow more severe over time. People struggling with addiction can become aggressive, so families should know how to recognize the warning signs, to stay alert and prevent situations from turning violent.
What Causes Someone to Become Addicted to Drugs?
1. Personal factors — Curiosity, mistaken beliefs and values, such as thinking drugs will let them work harder, have more fun, feel more at ease, forget their troubles, or gain acceptance within a group of friends. Lack of knowledge about the harms of drug use, and lack of life skills — such as being unable to manage their own stress — leading them to turn to drugs instead.
2. Environmental factors — Family breakdown, poor communication and relationships within the family, or a family member who uses drugs. Having friends who use drugs, living in a high-risk area, or an environment that makes addiction more likely — such as being near entertainment venues, gathering spots, or places where drugs are sold.
3. Substance-related factors — Drugs cause the brain to produce chemicals that create feelings of pleasure. Once the drug’s effects wear off, the body experiences irritability and sadness, which drives the person to seek out the drug again — and over time, the brain may be damaged to the point that the person can no longer stop using, leading to addiction.
The Path to Addiction Unfolds in 4 Stages
1. Experimentation out of curiosity — Often begins when someone is introduced to a substance, combined with existing curiosity or use of alcohol or cigarettes. These substances teach the person that using produces more satisfaction and comfort than their current state, or gives them more energy for work.
2. Occasional use — The person develops a liking for the drug’s effects, and learns that using more produces a much stronger sense of pleasure.
3. Regular, indiscriminate use — The person becomes preoccupied with obtaining drugs, shows signs of intoxication, and their work or studies decline, their relationships with people around them suffer, they spend money wastefully, or they may be arrested for using or dealing.
4. Dependence on alcohol or drugs — After continuous, long-term use, the person develops tolerance and withdrawal, or may unintentionally overdose.
How Can You Recognize the Signs of Addiction?
Once addiction sets in, it affects both the body and mind, changing a person’s appearance and behavior in noticeable ways, including:
1. Declining health — A weaker body, weight loss, gauntness, heavy sweating, and strong body odor.
2. Cut marks from sharp objects — Scars or needle marks on the body.
3. Irritability — Quick to anger, aggressive speech, frequent arguments, and physical altercations.
4. Changed behavior — Neglecting daily routines, lack of responsibility, declining academic performance, withdrawal and isolation, avoiding others, and disregarding problems at home.
5. Changed appearance — Frequently wearing long sleeves or long pants to hide scars, and wearing sunglasses constantly to hide their eyes.
6. Wasteful spending — Growing debt and theft, in order to fund drug purchases.
7. Drug paraphernalia — Items such as straws, syringes, foil, and lighters.
8. Signs of withdrawal — Restlessness, agitation, intense cravings to the point of trembling, rapid breathing, runny nose, watery eyes, frequent yawning, nausea, vomiting, body aches, deep bone pain, and sometimes bloody stool, known in Thai as “long daeng.”
Today, we’re also seeing large networks of drug users on the internet, on platforms like Twitter and Facebook, along with drug sales conducted through LINE — deals made online, completed with a bank transfer, and delivered through arranged pickup or courier services. What’s especially concerning is that online drug sales increasingly involve larger-scale operations, with stocked inventory and promotions — discounts, trade-ins, giveaways, and bundle deals — designed to attract buyers. We should pay close attention to this kind of illicit trade on social media, since it’s now accessible 24 hours a day.
How Can We Prevent Drug Problems?
1. Self-prevention — Learn about the dangers of drugs, avoid experimenting, and learn to say no when offered. Choose good friends who encourage positive, constructive activities, and when facing life problems or stress, find solutions that don’t involve drugs. If you can’t resolve it on your own, talk to your family or a trusted adult.
2. Family — build love and warmth — Maintain good relationships within the family, look out for family members to keep them away from drugs, and encourage one another.
3. Community and society — Offer help and guidance toward treatment as soon as possible if you find someone struggling with addiction, and if you learn of a location selling, importing, storing, or using drugs, report it to the police or relevant authorities immediately.
The drug problem is something no one should overlook, since it leads to many other problems — affecting education, work, daily life, health, and even leading to crime. It’s clear that this isn’t just an issue for the person using drugs or their family, but for society as a whole. Recognizing the signs of addiction as early as possible is essential, and has a major impact on how effectively someone can be treated and prevented from relapsing.
Day One Rehab Center, a residential drug treatment facility, recognizes these challenges and combines a range of treatment approaches tailored to each individual, to achieve the greatest possible effectiveness and success. Our hope is for people struggling with addiction to recover and return to normal daily life — becoming, once again, a beloved member of their family and a positive force in society, contributing to the country’s continued development.
Contact Us 99/1 Moo 6, Si Chula, Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Nayok 26000, Thailand +66 64-645-5091