Summary
Drug misuse isn’t always obvious at first. It can build slowly and affect anyone, no matter their background, age, or lifestyle. What may begin as occasional use can gradually take a serious toll on a person’s health, relationships, and ability to function. If you're concerned about yourself or someone you care about, learning the signs can be a powerful first step toward getting help.
Drug misuse isn’t always obvious at first. It can build slowly and affect anyone, no matter their background, age, or lifestyle. What may begin as occasional use can gradually take a serious toll on a person’s health, relationships, and ability to function. If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you care about, learning the signs can be a powerful first step toward getting help.
Increased Tolerance
One early sign of a growing problem is needing more of the drug to get the same effect. What used to be “just once in a while” might now feel like it’s happening more often.
What to look for:
- Needing larger amounts to get the same result
- Using more frequently than before
- Feeling frustrated or anxious when the usual amount doesn’t “work” anymore
Refusal Skills
Is it hard to say no to using?
If it’s a struggle to turn down drugs – even when there’s a good reason to – it might be a sign that things are slipping out of control. Maybe you’ve noticed that promises to “cut back” don’t last, or that peer pressure or cravings are winning more often than not.
What to look for:
- Using even when you don’t want to
- Saying “this is the last time” — and then using again
- Feeling powerless to resist, even when you know the consequences
Work or Education
Has drug use started to affect work life or studies?
When drug use becomes a priority, work and school often suffer. You or your loved one may start missing deadlines, skipping days or classes, or losing interest in goals and responsibilities that once mattered.
What to look for:
- Frequently calling in sick or being absent
- Declining performance
- Putting drug use above other responsibilities
Relationships
Are relationships starting to suffer because of drug use?
Drug misuse can strain even the closest bonds, as it might lead to arguments, secrecy, broken trust, or emotional distance.
What to look for:
- Frequent fights about behaviour or drug use
- Lying or hiding use from family and friends
- Becoming more isolated or withdrawing from loved ones
Withdrawals
Withdrawal symptoms – both physical and emotional – are signs that the body has become dependent. You might notice that drugs are needed just to feel “normal” or to get through the day.
What to look for:
- Feeling sick, shaky, or irritable when not using
- Needing drugs to start the day or sleep at night
- Using not to feel good, but just to avoid feeling bad
Finances
Drugs can quickly drain your finances. You or your loved one might start spending more than you can afford, borrowing money, or even engaging in risky behaviour to keep up with the habit.
What to look for:
- Struggling to pay bills or cover basic needs
- Spending a large portion of income on drugs
- Hiding spending or borrowing money without explanation
Thoughts
Is using – or thinking about using – always on your mind?
When drug use becomes central to your life or someone else’s, it often takes over mentally and emotionally. Everything starts to revolve around the next time you can use.
What to look for:
- Constantly planning or thinking about the next high
- Losing interest in things that used to bring joy
- Feeling like life without drugs is empty or meaningless
If you recognise these signs in yourself or someone you care about, you’re not alone. Recovery is possible, and support is available. If you or a family member need support with drug or alcohol issues, you can contact us here or phone 01 4736502 to make an appointment. We have locations in Bluebell, Inchicore and the North Inner City of Dublin and we are open Monday – Friday.
