There are some alarming facts to consider regarding addictive disorders. For instance, a recent report in the National Drug Addiction Recovery Month Kit showed the cost of alcohol and illicit drug use in the workplace, including lost productivity, accidents and medical claims to be an estimated $140 billion per year.
Another fact: every eight seconds, a person dies due to a tobacco-related illness, according to the World Health Organization.
Also, an estimated 28 percent to 30 percent of people in the U.S.A. alone have an addictive substance abuse disorder, a mental health disorder or both, according to a 2002 report by the National Mental Health Association.
And alcohol abuse and dependence occurs four times as much among men over the age of 65 than women in the same age group, according to the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, 1999.
Addictions present some common and some unique characteristics and behaviors across the board, depending upon the behaviors and / or substances associated with the addiction. Let's take a look at some common symptoms or traits and a little about how to begin getting help for the more common addictions or dominating dependencies today.
Odors associated with the substances like cigarette or marijuana smoke are fairly noticeable traits. Here are some maybe not so obvious:

*Fatigue
*Uncontrolled cravings
*Wearing long sleeves (to cover needle marks) during hot weather
*Hanging out with known addicts
*Thoughts, actions - nearly everything- - focused on addiction
*Nasal congestion (sniffing, nose bleeds...), eye changes (redness, glassy, wears sunglasses when not needed, etc...)
*Behavioral changes (moodiness, mood swings with hyperactive, lethargy, violence, paranoia, secretive, confused thoughts and actions)
*Denial of use, addiction, etc.
*Memory loss, distorted time
*Stealing or excessive / unusual borrowing of funds
*Unkempt appearance, truant / absenteeism from work, school, home... *Sudden changes in school work and grades, job performance, regular behavior
*Withdrawal from normal activities, friends, family
*Withdrawal symptoms: nausea, sweating, chills, convulsions, anxiety, nervousness, depression, headaches, hallucinations, diarrhea, restlessness / sleep disturbances, shaking (uncontrolled), sensitivity.


About the Author
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