Speech Impairment Caused by Addiction

Alcohol and drug addiction can have huge impacts on your speech, affecting how you form words in your head and how coherently they come out. For people living with addiction or going through withdrawal, speech impairment can be a telltale early sign but is sadly often dismissed as just being intoxicated or tired. The good news is that noticing a speech impairment can help you get the rehab treatment and medical care you need. That is why it is crucial to understand what may be causing your speech impairment and why it’s never something to ignore.

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What is a speech impairment?

A speech impairment means there is a disruption in the way you talk. It could mean a change to the sound of your voice, the speed of your speech or even your ability to find and express the words you’re trying to say.

Some people with a speech impairment start to stutter or hesitate more. Others speak clearly but can’t finish a full sentence without losing their train of thought. Sometimes, your speech can be too fast, too slow or doesn’t quite sound like you. You may not notice a speech impairment at first but it can soon start to have a big effect on your life.

Speech impairment can come from many things, including physical changes in your mouth, brain overload or emotional stress. Some people develop a speech impairment as a child and receive corrective surgery or speech therapy but when it appears later in life, it can make you very anxious about talking in front of others. In some cases, you may avoid speaking altogether, even when you really need support and the longer it goes on, the more isolated and low you may start to feel.

How can addiction lead to a speech impairment?

An impairment of speech can be triggered by substance abuse directly or by withdrawal or the physical and mental effects of drug and alcohol addiction.

Alcohol is one of the most common causes of speech impairment, with even a relatively small amount causing slurring and confusion. Alcohol slows your brain down. When that happens, your speech starts to slow, too, because your brain can’t communicate effectively with the muscles in your mouth. Long-term drinking can even cause chronic and potentially permanent damage to the areas of your brain responsible for speech and memory, making it hard to hold a conversation or express yourself clearly.

Opioids and benzodiazepines can dull everything, including your thoughts, feelings and energy. The resulting “drug speech” means you may speak softly, slowly or sometimes not at all due to the lack of motivation that these sedatives can cause. They can also cause confusion, which can affect your ability to communicate. In the worst cases, non-responsiveness and confusion are real danger signs of opioid overdose and require immediate medical attention.

Stimulants like cocaine, MDMA meth can go the opposite way as they ramp everything up so much that your mouth struggles to keep up with your thoughts. For example, cocaine speech is fast, tight and tense and sometimes words tumble out in a rush. Stimulants can also cause physical damage to your mouth, nose, teeth and jaw, all of which can cause embarrassing and sometimes painful impairment of speech.

Recovery can help restore normal speech and initiate the healing process, but speech can sometimes worsen before it improves. Withdrawal puts your body under a lot of stress, and this can cause a big lack of motivation to speak, anxiety about opening up, or leave you too tired even to try. But that’s okay. Withdrawal is a process and these symptoms will pass in time and leave your mind clearer to communicate properly again.

What are the common signs of a speech impairment to look out for?

Speech changes during addiction can be confusing and upsetting, especially when you’re not sure what’s causing them. Here are some common signs of speech impairment during substance use or withdrawal:

Stuttering

Stimulant use, high anxiety or coming down from a binge can all cause you to stumble over words or get stuck on sounds. You may find yourself repeating the first syllable, especially when you’re nervous or trying to speak too fast for your mouth to handle.

Repeating words

Benzodiazepine use and alcohol withdrawal can both mess with your short-term memory and concentration. This can cause you to repeat yourself without realising it because your brain loses track of what you’ve already said.

Expressive aphasia

Some people using opioids, alcohol or sedatives find themselves struggling to form even simple sentences. You may know exactly what you want to say but the words won’t come because your brain can’t communicate properly with your mouth.

Struggling to utilise words

When you’re going through withdrawal or heavily under the influence, you may say the wrong word, mix things up or feel like you’re constantly fumbling through every sentence. It is a common symptom of drug speech with substances that slow brain activity, like heroin or benzos.

Speaking slowly

This is often linked to depressant drugs like alcohol, opioids and benzodiazepines. Extremely slowed speech and confusion could also be a sign of an overdose that needs prompt medical care.

Mumbling

Mumbling is common during various types of substance use and withdrawal. It can be due to the direct effects, confusion or physical exhaustion during detox.

Slurred speech

This is one of the most recognisable signs of intoxication as alcohol, benzos and other sedatives all slow your motor control, making it harder to shape words properly. Slurred speech is also common during withdrawal, especially if you’re shaky, dehydrated or disorientated

Are speech impairments dangerous to leave unaddressed?

Speech impairments on their own are not usually inherently dangerous but they can have a big effect on your life. People at work, home or school might assume you’re drunk or high when you’re not, and this can affect your important relationships, career and educational opportunities.

However, an impairment of speech can also be the body’s way of warning that something more urgently detrimental is happening. For example, if your speech has changed because of a damaged septum from cocaine addiction or mouth issues from stimulant use, this harm can be serious and escalating. These kinds of physical problems can interfere with your breathing, eating and speaking and leave you in constant pain. More worryingly, infections of the mouth and nose can spread to other parts of the body, sometimes with life-threatening results.

Speech impairment can also be very emotionally difficult. Many people stop talking altogether, especially during withdrawal or early recovery, when anxiety and depression are already at their peak. This can stop you from voicing your critical detox needs and prevent you from making the most out of rehab therapy.

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What should I do if I or a loved one are struggling with an addiction-induced speech impairment?

If your speech has changed and you’re worried it might be linked to drugs, Alcohol or withdrawal, now is the time to take action. A speech impairment can be embarrassing, frustrating or even scary, but it’s also a sign that you need support. At Addiction Helper, we can talk you through what’s going on and help you find the right treatment before things get worse. Contact us today and find your true voice again.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can drugs cause speech impairments?

Yes, many drugs can interfere with how your brain, mouth and body work together to produce speech. This is often referred to as “drug speech”, and it can involve slurred words, stuttering or trouble forming sentences. Stimulants, depressants and even prescription medications can all disrupt your ability to speak clearly, especially when used heavily or over a long period. These effects may come and go or become more obvious during withdrawal.

How does cocaine affect speech?

Cocaine can have a major impact on the way you speak. Some people develop what is known as “cocaine speech”, which is fast, pressured or clipped patterns of talking that are hard to control. It is often caused by jaw tension, dry mouth and overstimulation from the drug. Over time, repeated cocaine use can also damage nasal tissue and the roof of the mouth, which can permanently distort your voice or make speech physically difficult.

Can a speech impairment become permanent?

Yes, if left untreated, a speech impairment can become long-term and even permanent, especially after extended substance use. Some types of speech impairment are caused by lasting damage to your brain, nerves or physical structures in the mouth and throat. The sooner you seek support, however, the more likely it is that your speech can improve or fully recover.