Addicts: Common Signs Of Deception

Addicts are adept at hiding evidence of their addiction. Deception is the rule, not the exception. Physicians are trained to identify addiction, but without training common signs of addiction can easily be overlooked.
For example, it is a misconception that addicts are easily identified by looking for needle or track marks on their arms (http://bit.ly/1DTAgwB). Addicts also inject into veins hidden from view, such as the legs, feet, and groin. If a vein is not accessible, addicts can inject into a muscle (“muscle popping”) or just beneath the skin’s surface (“skin-popping”).
Moreover, injection is the least frequent way addicts abuse opioids.
Most addicts chew and then swallow a handful of painkillers, snort crushed painkillers, or snort powdered
Addicts are notorious at lying because lying goes hand in hand with addiction.
So discovering the truth becomes somewhat of a cat-and-mouse game. However, you can usually discover the truth if you look for some of the many signs of addiction. Some are subtle, while others leave little room for doubt.
Signs Suggestive of Opioid Addiction
Addiction changes most areas of life. Because the changes develop gradually as the addiction takes hold, they may not raise suspicion unless you pay close attention. The following signs are suggestive but not proof of addiction. Assessment by a licensed healthcare provider is necessary for confirmation.
Changes Nearly Always Present
• Poor insight. Examples are not anticipating the negative social, legal or medical consequences of the addict’s actions or the addict appreciating the emotional pain addiction is causing family and friends.
The ultimate example of poor insight is denial of addiction.
• Poor judgment and decision-making. Examples are continuing to commit crimes to support the addiction despite repeatedly being apprehended or continuing to associate with active drug
• Self-inflicted injuries to obtain opioids from emergency rooms.
• Accepting a painful medical procedure to obtain a prescription for opioids when a less intensive treatment would suffice. For example, having a tooth pulled rather than the cavity filled.
• Personality changes, such as rudeness, irritability, and problems with anger management.
• New or worsening mental health problems. Common examples are anxiety, panic attacks, hallucinations, paranoia, manic-like symptoms, and depression.
• Failing a professional or home drug test.
• Passing a drug test that does not screen for the opioid the person is abusing. Oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone, as examples, require special testing and may not record as positive for “opiates” on a home drug test.
• Using someone else’s urine to falsify a drug test.
• Refusing to take a drug test.
Medical Changes When Getting “High”
• Breathing is slow, shallow or stops due to respiratory depression or failure. The principal cause of death from an opioid overdose is respiratory failure.
• Sedation to where it may be hard to wake the person despite verbal or physical prodding. Sedation increases the risk of an overdose