Drowsiness as a Symptom of Addiction

Drowsiness can be described as the feeling of being sleepy or tired, even during periods in which you are well-rested and have no reason to feel this way. While most people only experience drowsiness after engaging in exhausting tasks, or when it is late at night, others battle persistent sleepiness during all kinds of hours.

Feeling drowsy at unusual hours in the day is, indeed, a cause for concern, as it is a clear sign that one is suffering from some kind of medical condition. Another possible explanation for this condition is the reckless consumption of drugs, or other addictive substances.

Drowsiness is a negative health condition that limits one’s potential productivity. Not only is the patient unable to carry out basic daily tasks, they may also become mentally fragile, and can then be incapable of performing any kind of cognitive reasoning.

Drug addicts, or addiction sufferers, also exhibit drowsiness after consuming the addictive substances they usually take, and many are unable to carry on with their daily tasks afterwards, whether at work or at home. Apart from the effect on their productivity, drowsiness can be harmful to the body too, as it exposes the sufferer to numerous physical dangers.

The Signs of Drowsiness

The most apparent sign of drowsiness, in a drug abuse patient, is the consistent fluttering of the eyes, even when they need to remain alert, as well as a lazy demeanour that can be very noticeable. The patient also may become lethargic, especially after consuming the drug or substance responsible for their addiction.

Other symptoms that may accompany drowsiness include regular episodes of insomnia, extreme fatigue, consistent muscle spasms, and mental exhaustion.

Some addicts also suffer from mild nausea after using their particular drug, though this is mostly present in cases of overuse.

Excessive drowsiness, coupled with severe fatigue, may be a glaring sign of a serious health issue in the patient, meaning that you must pay attention to the accompanying symptoms properly before deciding on the next course of action.

The Consequences of Drowsiness in Addiction Sufferers

Drowsiness doesn’t only have a negative health effect on the body, it may also lead to lifestyle changes that will hurt the patient’s family or work life. Drowsiness may also be a manifestation of a serious underlying health issue that can be attributed to the consumption of drugs and other addictive substances.

If the patient is employed and has an active work life, the onset of drowsiness can interfere with daily activities and affect their productivity, which may bring about bigger consequences, such as job loss.

Seeing a Medical Professional for Drowsiness

If an addiction patient’s drowsiness is caused by the consumption of illicit drugs then it may be wise to seek the help of a medical practitioner before it gets worse. This is especially true if the symptoms that accompany the drowsiness spells are identical to the ones described above.

Drowsiness is certainly one of the more conspicuous symptoms that addiction patients exhibit when they indulge in their chosen vices, and only when the addiction issue is completely eradicated does the drowsiness go away with it.