Signs and Symptoms

People use drugs and alcohol for a variety of reasons. In Australia, we often use alcohol to socialise and relax. However, alcohol and drug use can have a significant impact on the way we feel and act, both physically and emotionally. While many regularly use alcohol or even drugs, understanding the risks, as well as signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug (AOD) addiction is important.

Alcohol and drug (substance) use is particularly risky when it comes to our mental health, as it can often exacerbate the negative symptoms we may already be experiencing. While people sometimes feel that alcohol and drugs will help them cope, it is usually a quick fix that has longer term consequences, and prevents us from learning healthier coping behaviours.

There are three main types of drugs – depressants, hallucinogens, and stimulants:

• Depressants include alcohol, cannabis, and other sedatives. They slow our bodies down, including are processing and reaction times. They can also increase any negative symptoms you may already be feeling. For example, if you begin drinking when you are experiencing a low mood, it is likely a depressant will make this worse
• While cannabis is used more frequently, there is no known level of cannabis use that can be considered safe. There are strong associations between cannabis and psychosis, and has been shown to increase symptoms of depression, panic attacks, paranoia and anxiety despite not having experienced these symptoms prior to cannabis use
• Hallucinogens alter our sense of time, space, and emotions, and you may experience visual and auditory hallucinations. These include LSD and magic mushrooms. Many people experience unwanted symptoms from hallucinogen use, and there are sometimes lasting side effects from these drugs
• Stimulants include speed, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy and ice, and they speed our bodies up. They increase our levels of anxiousness, aggression, violence and paranoia, and often have several physical side effects

Keeping an eye on your own behaviours can ensure you don’t begin to misuse substances:

• Checking in on your motivation and reason for using substances can help you gain an understanding about your use – are you using it to cope or escape from something?
• Checking in on how it is impacting your everyday functioning
• Reflecting back to think if others have mentioned it to you
• Tracking your use and frequency in recent months

Signs that you may have developed a dependence on drugs or alcohol may include:

• Excessive substance use nearly every day or every day
• Relying on substance use to cope emotionally with everyday demands
• Issues at work, including substance use at work or training
• Strong cravings for substances, and symptoms of withdrawal if unable to access it
• Nausea, anxiety and sweating
• Increase in mental health issues e.g. withdrawal, low mood, anxiety, loss of interest in usual activities
• Physical tolerance – requiring more alcohol and/or drugs to obtain desired effect
• Increased irritability and conflict, relationship problems
• Defensiveness about use, including denial and lying
• Weight and sleep change (can be increase or decrease in weight)
• Unable to attend social events without excessive substance use

• If you are concerned you have a problem with alcohol and drug use, it’s important to reach out to your GP to get support
• Recognising that your substance use has become a problem is the first step to accepting the need for help
• Talking to friends and family, as well as support phone lines
• Find alternative coping mechanisms – if you are engaging in substance use to escape another problem, reaching out to a mental health professional will help you work through this
• Lapse vs. Relapse – the idea of relapsing is scary during recovery. Setbacks are common, so it is important to focus on the wins father than the failures. A lapse during your recovery does not mean you are back to square one. Understanding your triggers and planning ahead will help set you up for the best chance at getting your substance use under control

If you feel you would benefit from talking to someone about your alcohol or other drug use there are many confidential support services you can reach out to:

National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline - 1800 250 015

Free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs

Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support - 1800 177 833

Confidential and anonymous telephone counselling and information for individuals, parents, and concerned others

Adis can undertake telephone assessments, provide information about the effects of specific drugs and provide advice on various treatment options. They can also help clients contact the best service for their needs.

Family Drug Support - 1800 368 186 24

Family Drug Support provides help for families to deal with alcohol and drug issues

Community support is also available:

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Services (ATOD) – call 1800 177 833 to locate

In Queensland, treatment services are provided in local communities by Queensland Hospital and Health Services, non-government and private organizations. Services can provide comprehensive assessments for substance use, brief intervention, treatment planning, case management, counselling, residential treatment and referral if required. More information?

Alcohol and Drug Foundation website - https://adf.org.au/

You can read up some more useful information about treatment options and what kind of help is available