Last Updated:
July 29th, 2025
Addiction Signs and Symptoms | Spotting Addiction
It has long been understood that the earlier professional help is sought for addiction, the better the chances of making a full and lasting recovery. One of the best ways to spot an emerging problem early is to look out for the signs and symptoms of common addictions. Here are some long-term and short-term addiction symptoms to look out for:
Struggling with an addiction? If you are ready to seek help, reach out to us today, and a member of our compassionate team will help you find the best option for starting your recovery journey.
Reduced consciousness
Feeling less alert or spaced out can be a troubling sign of addiction, especially with substances that dull your senses, like alcohol or sedatives.
Teeth clenching
Regular teeth clenching when using stimulants like MDMA or methamphetamine often escalates as an addiction progresses.
Drowsiness
Feeling sleepy or drowsy all the time can be a sign of various common addictions, particularly if you are regularly using sedatives or other depressants.
Elevated mood
Drugs that artificially elevate your mood can be addictive as you start chasing the highs again and again.
Nasal congestion
Nasal congestion from snorting cocaine or other drugs is a telltale sign of addiction and can result in significant damage to the nasal cavities and sinus health.
Involuntary shaking/tremors
Tremors or uncontrolled shaking, especially noticeable in the hands, can be signs of alcohol or benzodiazepine addiction and are also common withdrawal symptoms for many substances.
Lack of inhibition
Chronic use of alcohol or stimulants like cocaine can significantly lower inhibitions, often leading to dangerous or out-of-character behaviours.
Lack of pain sensation
Opioids and other pain-relieving drugs can lead to a diminished sensation of pain, a common symptom when the body becomes accustomed to regular drug use.
Lack of awareness/inattention to surrounding people and things
Frequent substance use often results in a bubble-like state where addicts lose track of what is happening around them.
Lack of awareness/inattention to surrounding people and things
Violent behaviour
Substance addiction and withdrawal can both lead to unexpected and uncharacteristic violent outbursts as people struggle with the mental and physical effects.
Slurred speech
Many addictive substances, particularly depressants, can cause slurred speech by slowing down brain functions and affecting speech coordination.
Restlessness
Delirium
Slowed breathing
Tooth decay
Panic attacks
Panic attacks often come as a response to anxiety heightened by stimulant addiction or during withdrawal from substances like alcohol and benzodiazepines.
Problems thinking clearly
Constipation
Irritability
Combativeness
Runny nose/sore nose
Poor judgement
Muscle cramping
Reduced sense of pain
Behaviour changes
Agitation, drowsiness, sedation
Constricted pupils
Depression
Delusions
Heart attacks
Heart attacks can occur as a direct result of substance abuse, the effects of respiratory depression or the poor diets and lifestyles often seen in those with addictions.
Impaired judgement
Intolerance to loud noise
Dilated pupils
Needle marks
Needle marks are common signs of addiction to drugs that are taken intravenously. This can include heroin, methamphetamine and certain prescription drugs.
Speech impairment
Speech impairment is seen in addictions to various substances as they slow brain function and disrupt your normal speech processes.
Coma
Impulsive behaviour
Impulsive behaviour is one of the most commonly seen signs of addiction because of substance effects, withdrawal symptoms and the constant stress of coping with an addiction.
Impulsive behaviour
Problems with attention and memory
Problems with focusing attention are cognitive effects of substance abuse that are seen with many common addictions. These issues can severely impact your education, career and even your safety.
Problems with attention and memory
Hallucinations
Hallucinations can occur as a result of high doses or chronic use of different substances and can also be particularly distressing and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
Hallucinations
Confusion
General confusion is a common symptom of addiction to alcohol and a whole range of drugs and can also be a withdrawal symptom and even a sign of overdose.
Confusion
Loss of muscle control
Muscle control issues in individuals with addiction can arise from CNS effects, neurological toxic effects and even overall physical deterioration associated with chronic substance abuse.
Loss of muscle control
Problems concentrating
Concentration difficulties are a widespread issue among those with addiction due to substance effects, preoccupation with getting and using drugs and long-term substance-induced brain changes.
Problems concentrating
Involuntary eye movements
Involuntary eye movements can be both a direct effect of certain drugs and can also signify underlying health issues exacerbated by drug use, including liver disease or brain damage.
Involuntary eye movements
Lack of coordination
Addiction to substances that impair your cognitive and motor skills commonly leads to a lack of coordination, making even simple day-to-day tasks very difficult and even dangerous.
Lack of coordination
Memory problems
Memory problems in addiction can occur due to the way alcohol and drugs impact your brain and it can take a long time for these issues to resolve after you become sober.
Memory problems
Irregular heartbeats
Irregular heartbeats are often caused by excessive stress on the cardiovascular system, particularly with long-term stimulant addictions.
Irregular heartbeats
Altered VACOG (Visual, Auditory, Cognitive, Olfactory, Gustatory Perception)
Long-term drug abuse and addiction can permanently disrupt sensory perception, causing lingering visual distortions or auditory hallucinations even after quitting.
Altered VACOG (Visual, Auditory, Cognitive, Olfactory, Gustatory Perception)
Psychotic episodes
Drug abuse, withdrawal and addiction in those with underlying mental health conditions can all result in psychotic episodes which put both the individual and those around them in danger.
Psychotic episodes
Euphoria
Various drugs flood the brain with dopamine, leading to extreme euphoria followed by a hard crash. These ups and downs can take a major toll when you are locked in an addictive cycle of substance abuse.
Euphoria
Increased heart rate
Chronic stimulant abuse, substance withdrawal and overdosing on certain drugs can all cause increased heart rate and even long-term heart problems.
Increased heart rate
Memory loss
Long-term alcohol and drug use can damage areas of the brain responsible for memory, leading to short- and long-term loss and permanent cognitive decline.
Memory loss
Agitation
Chronic agitation is often observed in people with addiction due to physical and mental effects and also the constant worry of how to get more drugs or alcohol.
Agitation
Changes in mood
Both behavioural and substance addictions can lead to persistent mood disturbances, including bouts of depression, anxiety and euphoria, which can make everything from jobs to relationships very difficult.
Changes in mood
Mouth sores
Mouth sores are commonly associated with methamphetamine use, known as “meth mouth”, while other substance addictions can also lead to poor oral health.
Mouth sores
High blood pressure
Chronic substance abuse is often the cause of high blood pressure, which can contribute to heart disease and stroke if it goes unaddressed.
High blood pressure
Problems thinking clearly
Various substances can cloud your cognition, impairing your clear thinking and decision-making capabilities. These problems can become chronic when you are caught in addiction.
Problems thinking clearly
Increased alertness
The heightened alertness experienced from drugs like methamphetamine or cocaine can significantly disrupt your sleep and overall health if you are struggling with addiction.
Increased alertness
Problems with coordination
Loss of coordination is often seen in long-term substance users due to damage to the brain areas that regulate motor skills.
Problems with coordination
Gum disease
The corrosive chemicals in smoked or inhaled drugs can damage gum tissues directly, while reduced saliva and neglect of personal hygiene can also contribute to gum disease.
Gum disease
Aggression
Aggression can be a direct effect of various substances, a reaction to the frustration of addiction and also come from the worsening of co-occurring mental health conditions.
Aggression
Reduced blood pressure
Addiction to substances that lower blood pressure can lead to long-term cardiovascular issues which can be potentially fatal without medical intervention.
Reduced blood pressure
How to help someone with addiction?
The complexity of addiction symptoms and causes means that recovery requires professional treatment. This starts with detox where you are carefully weaned off drugs or alcohol to reduce the discomfort and danger of the withdrawal symptoms explained above.
Detox breaks physical dependency so that you can go on to address mental and emotional reliance through rehab. This is a programme of therapies and recovery techniques designed to address the root causes of substance abuse and reshape your thoughts and behaviours. Both detox and rehab programmes are available through the NHS and private treatment facilities across Britain.
If you want to find out more about your options or you have spotted some worrying signs of addiction, get in touch with us today for expert advice. We can help you find the best treatment programme for your needs and get you started on the path to recovery.
Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.
