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What are the Signs of Drug Addiction?
What are some of the most common signs that could indicate someone is addicted to drugs? Find out here.
Drug addiction is a massive problem that affects individuals, communities, and societies across the world. It carries an enormous stigma which can result in sufferers hiding their problems and being discouraged from contacting addiction services.
Drug addiction can be hard to spot, but there are tell-tale signs that can indicate a problem. If you are concerned about a friend or family member, knowing what to look out for can be vital. We’ve put together a list of some of the most common signs of drug addiction.
What is Drug Addiction?
To spot the signs of drug addiction, it’s important to understand what exactly drug addiction is. Drug addiction is also referred to as substance use disorder. It is characterized by chronic, relapsing use of a substance despite negative effects. People who are addicted to drugs are unable to stop using them, and their behavior may change as a result of their use and in an attempt to ensure they have a constant supply of and access to a substance.
Some of the most common substances among drug addicts include marijuana, cocaine, prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and heroin. Some of these substances are more addictive than others, but all have the potential to cause serious effects on people who misuse them.
What Causes Drug Addiction?
For many people, drug misuse doesn’t cause addiction straight away. People may use drugs experimentally or recreationally in social situations. Over time, their use increases and eventually spirals out of control and into a full-blown addiction.
Drugs affect the brain’s reward system, which is usually used to reward healthy behaviors, such as exercise, by releasing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Dopamine causes feelings of pleasure and satisfaction and motivates us to continue these behaviors.
Some drugs mimic dopamine, while others encourage the brain to produce more dopamine than normal. This leads to feelings of happiness and euphoria often associated with drugs and can result in people using drugs repeatedly to feel these effects.
Over time, drug use can change the way the brain functions. The reward system becomes desensitized. This means that more drugs are required to feel the same effect and that other reward-generating activities trigger the release of less dopamine. Eventually, addicts will be less able to enjoy any activities other than drug use.
Drug addiction can also affect how the brain handles negative emotions such as stress. When not using a substance, these feelings can be amplified. This means that drug addicts eventually use drugs to avoid negative feelings rather than in an attempt to generate positive feelings.
Drug addiction can start off as casual substance use but can quickly get out of hand. Changes to the function of the brain as more drugs are used can create a cycle that is incredibly difficult for sufferers to escape from.
These are the biological causes and mechanisms of addiction, but there are other factors, including upbringing and environment, that play a part as well.
If you are worried about a friend or loved one and are concerned that they may be addicted to drugs, there are key signs that you need to look out for. Find out more below.
Physical Changes
Physical changes are often some of the most noticeable effects of drug addiction. Depending on the type of substance being abused, the eyes may look different, with either dilated or constricted pupils. The eyes may also be bloodshot, which could be a direct effect of the drug or an indirect effect caused by lack of sleep.
Addicts could display rapid, unexplained changes in weight or show changes to eating habits and appetite. They may constantly clench their jaw or chew their lips or the insides of their cheeks.
Some physical changes are specific to certain drugs. Cocaine addiction, for example, could cause a constantly runny nose or other nasal issues.
In extreme changes, drug addiction can manifest physically as tremors, seizures, loss of coordination, and skin issues.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral changes are often what we notice first. Addicts may become more secretive and more isolated, less willing to take part in social activities with friends and family. They may abandon activities they used to take part in, and you might notice changes in their friends and associates.
Drug addiction can impact performance at work or in education, and it can cause people to neglect existing commitments and responsibilities. Addicts may be caught lying or acting dishonestly.
Some addicts may have legal issues if they have been caught in possession of illegal drugs, and they could face financial issues, with some resorting to stealing to fund their habit.
Psychological Changes
Finally, drug addiction can also cause a number of psychological changes. You may notice a shift in personality, with greater irritability and aggression. Drug addiction can cause sudden and wild mood swings, sufferers may be happy when on a substance and then sad or angry when going through withdrawal.
Some addicts can display a lack of ambition or motivation, with increased apathy and a generally bleak view of themselves and of life in general.
Drug addiction can also cause mental health issues. Addicts may be depressed, anxious, paranoid, or even delusional.
How to Help an Addict
If you have spotted some of the above signs in a friend or loved one, knowing what step to take next can be difficult. It’s important you remember that drug addiction is a disease, it’s vital that you remain non-judgmental and avoid blaming the sufferer for their current condition.
Offer a means of support rather than being punitive. Try and put yourself in their shoes and figure out how they have got into this situation.
You’ll need to broach the subject carefully and sensitively. Addicts can be ashamed of their behavior and could get defensive or even lash out if confronted about it.
Conclusion Drug addiction is a serious condition that can have severe consequences for sufferers and those closest to them. If you are worried about a loved one and are concerned they could be abusing drugs, knowing what signs to look out for is vital and the first step towards tackling
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Winnipeg and Israel
La vie se rétracte ou se dilate à proportion de notre courage.
Anaïs Nin (1903 – 1977)
By Dr. DAVID HOULT Israel has come of age among the nations of the world. After almost two thousand years of yearning, it can now join the ranks of those that ply power and pain. It is an odd conceit for most of us, for we imbibed so thoroughly from childhood the notions of Jewish vulnerability, suffering and solidarity, the need for self-sufficiency and circling the wagons when attacked. The foundation of a Jewish state came as the Great Hope, a shining star, the salvation from the wreckage of the Holocaust: a Jewish liberal democracy with a military having sterling and stirring ideals standing alone in a rough Middle-East neighbourhood. It appeared to many to be a miracle, and Judaism intertwined with Zionism and state to create a pinnacle of pride and pilgrimage – a tool of God to promote Their divine scheme, and to initiate the return of the Jews to the land They promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
But now, many of us are troubled. We fear deep down that Israel has gone astray, but are scared to confront the possibility, scared to give The Enemy ammunition if we say anything. So in our pain, we punish those who give even a hint of voicing dissent and fall back on our conceit. We defiantly, and somewhat desperately, have declarations of loyalty and synagogue security committees to keep traitors and Enemies out of our holy places, continue to sing Hatikvah, pray for the IDF and are hyper-vigilant for any sign of anti-Semitism. Underneath though, the stress born of dichotomy grows as we watch the apocalypse that is Gaza, massive demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Jew attacking Jew in Ra’anana, and settlers in the West Bank strutting, scaring, slinging stones and even slaying.
Politically, the seeds of our distress can be traced back over a hundred years to the Balfour Declaration. Based on the anti-Semitic assumption that Jews had great financial clout, it was one long, carefully crafted, vague and contradictory sentence (67 words) designed to enhance British influence in the Middle East. Zionists seized upon the ambiguous phrase “national home for the Jewish people” but carefully ignored the clause “… it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine …”. (Notably, nothing about political rights was included.) Soon, even President Roosevelt was declaring that “Palestine must be made a Jewish State”. Unsurprisingly, there was vocal opposition from most of the local inhabitants (over 90% Arab) and the situation quickly proved untenable. One British historian1 has declared that “measured by British interests alone, [the declaration was] one of the greatest mistakes in [its] imperial history.”
When the British threw up their hands and withdrew from Palestine, the United Nations proposed a partition of the land; the Arab League strongly objected and when the State of Israel was declared in 1948, as every Jewish child knows, the War of Independence began. But by the end of the war, Israel had triumphed; it held about 78% of Palestine and about 750,000 inhabitants had become refugees, a figure confirmed by many Israeli historians. Notwithstanding the details of how they had been exiled, they were not allowed to return. They were scapegoats sent into the wilderness for the sins of the Germans, and it is this refusal that laid the essential foundation of ethnic Jewish statehood – a Jewish majority. And that majority increased: by 1951, the population of Israel was expanded by the immigration of 700,000 Jews, some, ironically, expelled from Arab states in retaliation, thereby enhancing the ethnic imbalance.
I once asked a Palestinian attendee at the Nobel Prize ceremonies in Stockholm for how long her people would try to get their homes and land back and her bitter response was “For ever!” My response was “A bit like we Jews.” But stop for a moment of empathy. In the Talmud, Hillel says: “Don’t do to your neighbour what you wouldn’t have him do to you.” Those 750,000 people suffered the same fate as many Jews under the Romans, traumatised and wretched, filled with hate, anger and despair. But it was war and those sort of rules don’t apply, do they? Do they? For in the aftermath of the Holocaust, Jews were in no mood for the niceties of Torah compassion and empathy: a Jewish state was desperately needed. So what if we didn’t let them back in? Their leaders collaborated with the Nazis, didn’t they? And so the seeds of catastrophe were planted.
If we fast forward, thanks to further wars instigated and lost by the Arabs, Israel now controls almost the whole of what was once Palestine. However, notwithstanding the further exodus of refugees (numbers vary), Jews are no longer in the majority and the presence of so many Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza represents a huge obstacle to the re-creation of “the promised land”. This is a problem that many in their heart of hearts would love to see go away – but how? By fair means or foul?
Thus we come to the latest attempt to punish Israel which, I believe, is succeeding beyond Hamas’s wildest dreams. Why do I say that? Because Israel’s reaction to Hamas’s attack can be shown to violate its own historical and religious ethics and guidelines for the conduct of war. It places itself, by its own standards, firmly in the wrong and as a result, the nation is tearing itself apart and taking the Diaspora with it. To take just one example, from the Rambam2:
“When a siege is placed around a city to conquer it, it should not be surrounded on all four sides, only on three. A place should be left for the inhabitants to flee and for all those who desire, to escape with their lives.” Or how about the next verse: “We should not cut down fruit trees outside a city nor prevent an irrigation ditch from bringing water to them so that they dry up”? In other words, confinement and starvation are out as tactics of war for Jews.
There is, however, a far more basic, ancient and raw imperative, and that is lex talionis: “An eye for an eye …”. It is found in several places in Torah and also in the earlier Code of Hammurabi. (If you are ever in Paris, do see the stunning Hammurabi stele in the Louvre.) The Pharisees maintained that this law was not to be taken literally and referred to appropriate financial compensation. However, let us be gruesome and take it literally. On one side of the scales of justice we have the killing by Hamas of 1,195 people, the taking of 250 hostages, dozens of rapes and sexual assaults and immeasurable anguish, trauma and misery. What shall we place on the other side of the scale? Let us start with the report by the Associated Press that somewhere between three to four thousand Gazan children have suffered amputations, sometimes without anaesthetics. Meanwhile, the Gazan Health Ministry has released the names of 5,000 children under the age of six who have been killed. Are children The Enemy? We must also add to the balance the thousands of adults who have died and the hundreds of thousands suffering without shelter. We are commanded in the Torah “Justice, justice you shall pursue”. Even if the numbers are exaggerated, is the maiming and killing of children justice? What a wonderful way to create a new generation of terrorists thirsting for revenge!
There are those who claim that the Palestinians are part of the seven biblical nations that Joshua was commanded to wipe out. However, this claim was put to rest as long ago as 100 CE when Rabbi Yehoshua declared that the “seven nations” were no longer identifiable.
Inconveniently, David Ben-Gurion and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, in a book published in 19183, even believed that the Palestinian peasant population (fellahin) was descended from the ancient biblical Hebrews, and there is some genetic evidence to support this position. Nevertheless, in 2007, Mordechai Eliyahu, the former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Olmert that4 “an entire city holds collective responsibility for the immoral behavior of individuals. In Gaza, the entire populace is responsible because they do nothing to stop the firing of Kassam rockets.”. His son, the chief rabbi of Safed, wrote: “If they don’t stop after we kill 100, then we must kill a thousand. And if they do not stop after 1,000 then we must kill 10,000. If they still don’t stop we must kill 100,000, even a million. Whatever it takes to make them stop.” Only now, however, have a few Gazans had the great courage to protest Hamas, an organisation that in the past has attacked, abducted, tortured and murdered those who stand up to them, including members of the Palestinian Authority5. Would you or I risk torture and death to confront such rulers? I doubt I would have the courage. Would you? Thus does evil ever flourish.
Let us be clear: Gaza is controlled by a vicious fundamentalist movement that in its charter calls for the destruction of Israel. But the more the Gazans are carpet bombed and killed, the more Hamas will gain supporters – young men who have seen mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and cousins maimed and dismembered and want revenge. Quite apart from questions of morality, the annihilation is just plain dumb!
As the years of this century pass, how shall we possibly believe a new “promised land” could materialise? It would take a new Sodom and Gomorrah. The Arab states have learnt their collective lessons regarding military force and Israel is now Goliath to their slingless David. So, unless Israel feigns weakness (and notwithstanding Iran), it is highly unlikely that a new war will arise to give a pretext for expelling millions from the West Bank. Instead, harassment seems to be the method du jour as new settlements are built, land is appropriated and people are slowly forced into cities and refugee camps, or to other countries such as Canada – to Winnipeg, even. Of course Ben-Gurion’s “peasants” are going to strike back! Is harassment an honourable tactic? Is this loving one’s neighbour as oneself? Ah, but they aren’t neighbours you see, they are The Enemy, for they ambush innocent people and kill pregnant women6. Thus does evil ever flourish.
So here, in a distant country, we sit and watch, a community torn in two. Where do our loyalties lie? As you may have gathered from my quotations, I am a religious Jew who believes that our ethics must be derived from Torah and Talmud. I am a member of a synagogue, but a synagogue that refuses to admit anyone who is perceived to be The Enemy, and a member of a community that states “With Israel, For Israel. Always.” Where do my loyalties lie? Where should they lie? For me, there can no doubt – unequivocally with a Higher Authority, an Authority that demands at the pinnacle of Torah, slap dab in its middle, that I must love my neighbour as myself. That means gently arguing with the racist down the street, having kind words for the Indigenous family pushing back against subtle discrimination and trying to console the Palestinian who is mourning the death of his nephew in Gaza. But there is more.
The Talmud tells us7: “If (anyone) is in a position to protest the sinful conduct of the people of his town, and he fails to do so, he is apprehended for the sins of the people of his town. If he is in a position to protest the sinful conduct of the whole world, and he fails to do so, he is apprehended for the sins of the whole world.” Thus I protest the actions of my synagogue in keeping people out, I protest the actions of my community and I protest the actions of Israel because it is part of this world and it is sinning. It really is that simple – see wrong, protest, for God’s sake (literally), rather than keeping quiet and putting support for Israel first. Torah has an old-fashioned word for such misguided loyalties – idolatry. To quote Abraham Joshua Heschel: “God is not nice. God is not an uncle. God is an earthquake” that shakes us out of our complacency and challenges us first and foremost to reason – to think and analyse, not just feel, using Torah as our guide.
But there is yet more, and it is something we can do in Winnipeg. The same Talmud also states8: “Who is richest of all, …. Some say: One who can turn an enemy into his friend.” And how does one do that? Surely, there can only be one way to begin: by talking – by talking with The Enemy right here in town with empathy for their suffering. That means striving not to be ruled by fear, but taking one’s courage in both hands, being prepared to be made very uncomfortable, to confront other people’s truths. I do not have to agree, I do not have to like it, but I do have to listen. And one day, just possibly, there might be areas of agreement, even friendship, where the seeds of reconciliation are irrigated and can grow and bear fruit, for if God is prepared to reason with us (Isaiah 1, 18), surely we can reason with one another? Can’t we?
___________________________________________________________________________
David Hoult, a physicist who is one of the original developers of the MRI, is the recipient of numerous awards, including the community’s Shem Tov award for his work in helping secure kashrut in the city. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife and children.
1 Monroe, E. Britain’s Moment in the Middle East, 1914–1971. Johns Hopkins University Press (1981).
22 Mishneh Torah, Kings and Wars 6
33 Erets yisroel in fargangenheyt un gegenvart: geografye, geshikhte, rekhtlekhe ferheltnise, bafelkerung, landvirtshaft, handl un industri (The land of Israel past and present: geography, history, legal circumstances, population, agriculture, business, and industry), with three maps of the country and eighty pictures of Israel (New York, 1918),
Hebrew translation, 1980, pp. 196–200 (in Hebrew).
44 Wagner M., Jerusalem Post, May 30th, 2007.
55 https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/gaza-palestinians-tortured-summarily-killed-by-hamas-forces-during-2014-conflict/
66 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgq89yd7p7o
77 Shabbat 54b, 20
88 Avot d’Rabbi Natan 23
Features
Is it worth playing free slot machines in 2025?
For beginners, free slot games are a great introduction to the world of online casinos. These games offer the excitement of playing slots without the financial risk, making them an ideal choice for players who want to explore different themes, features, and mechanics before investing real money. Those looking for trustworthy casinos can benefit from platforms like CasinoSpot, which only selects trusted online casinos and offers access to fair games, secure payment methods, and excellent customer support.
What are free slot machines?
Free slot machines are online casino games that allow players to enjoy the thrill of slot gaming without the need to wager any real money. These games are often used as a way for beginners to familiarize themselves with slot mechanics, gameplay features, and bonus rounds before making any financial commitment. Free slots simulate the exact experience of playing a real-money game, offering the same graphics, sounds, and features, but without the risk of losing money.
Free slot machines are also great for experienced players who want to practice or try out new slot games without any financial pressure. These games provide an opportunity to experience the latest releases and explore different casinos or slot providers before deciding where to invest real money. Additionally, free slots often allow players to accumulate virtual credits to experience the game’s full features, such as bonus rounds and free spins. However, while free slot machines offer entertainment and practice, they don’t provide any winnings, as no real money is involved in the gameplay.
The benefits of playing free slot machines
Free slot machines offer a unique and enjoyable way for both beginners and experienced players to explore the world of online casinos without any financial risk. With the opportunity to play at your own pace and try out different game styles, free slots provide a fantastic introduction to online gambling.
Here are some key benefits of playing free slot machines:
- Risk-Free Experience
One of the biggest benefits of free slots is that they provide a risk-free gambling experience. Players can enjoy the excitement of playing slot games without the concern of losing money. This allows them to explore different games, features, and mechanics with no financial pressure. - Learn the Game Mechanics
Free slots are an excellent way to learn how slot machines work. Beginners can familiarize themselves with the game rules, paylines, bonus features, and different types of symbols before moving on to real-money games. It’s a great way to build confidence and understand the game’s mechanics. - Try Out New Strategies
Many players enjoy experimenting with various betting strategies when playing free slot machines. Since there is no monetary risk, players can test their theories and strategies to see how they affect their chances of winning. - Enjoy a Variety of Themes
Free slots offer a wide variety of themes, from classic fruit machines to elaborate storylines based on mythology, movies, and more. This diversity allows players to explore different types of slots and find games that they truly enjoy. - Access to Bonus Features
Free slot games often come with exciting bonus features such as free spins, multipliers, and interactive bonus rounds. These features make the gameplay more enjoyable and provide opportunities to experience some of the most thrilling aspects of online slots without spending any money.
Playing free slot machines is an excellent way to enjoy online gambling while honing your skills and exploring various game types. From learning game mechanics to experimenting with new strategies, free slots offer many benefits that enhance your gaming experience. By taking advantage of free slots, players can build their confidence and develop strategies that will benefit them when they transition to real-money games.
The best free slot machines in 2025
As online casinos continue to evolve, the range of free slot machines available to players in 2025 has expanded significantly. The best free slot machines provide a variety of exciting experiences, from thrilling bonus rounds to immersive storylines that keep players coming back for more.
Here are some of the top free slot machines to play in 2025:
- Tombstone RIP
Tombstone RIP is a thrilling free slot machine with a western theme that immerses players in an old-western atmosphere. Featuring wild symbols, free spins, and a bonus round, it offers an exciting experience with high potential payouts. The graphics are top-notch, providing a visually stunning and immersive experience. - The Wild Life
The Wild Life is a beautifully designed slot that takes players on an adventure into the heart of the jungle. With its vibrant graphics and animal-themed reels, this free slot provides an exciting gameplay experience. Features like wild symbols and multipliers enhance the potential for big wins, making it an ideal choice for players looking to explore new themes. The game’s simplicity and fun gameplay make it a popular choice among slot enthusiasts. - Royal Spins
Royal Spins transports players into a world of luxury with its regal theme and elegant design. The game features rich symbols like crowns and jewels, along with a rewarding bonus round and free spins. Its smooth gameplay and attractive rewards make it an excellent option for players who want to experience the thrill of high-end slot gaming without risking any money. - Cash Eruption
Cash Eruption is a free slot that stands out for its explosive graphics and thrilling gameplay. The game revolves around the excitement of hitting a jackpot with multipliers and wild symbols. Players can take advantage of its free spins and bonus features, which keep the excitement high throughout the gameplay. With its dynamic visuals and potential for large payouts, Cash Eruption is a must-try for players who enjoy action-packed slot machines.
Whether you’re new to online slots or an experienced player looking to practice or learn new games, free slots 2025 are a great opportunity to improve your skills and have fun. By playing these free games, players can gain valuable experience and feel more confident when they decide to move on to real money slots.
Conclusion
Playing free slot machines in 2025 is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the world of online gaming without the financial risk. These games provide an opportunity for both beginners and experienced players to familiarize themselves with different slot mechanics, experiment with various strategies, and simply enjoy the thrill of gaming. By practicing on free slots, you can build the confidence needed for transitioning to real-money games, ensuring you have an exciting and rewarding gambling experience.
FAQ
Can you win real money with free slot machines?
No, free slot machines do not offer real money payouts.
What are the benefits of playing free slot machines?
The benefits include a risk-free experience, the ability to learn the game mechanics, test strategies, and enjoy a wide variety of themes without financial commitment.
Are free slot machines available on mobile?
Yes, many online casinos offer free slot games that are optimized for mobile devices, allowing players to enjoy them on the go.
Do I need to register to play free slot machines?
In most cases, you don’t need to register to play free slot machines. However, some casinos may require registration to access certain games or features.
