Just as there are many different types of drugs, there are different types of addictions. This includes:

• An addiction to opiate drugs like Vicodin or Oxycodone
• Heroin addiction
• Addictions to crystal meth
• Cocaine addictions
• Marijuana addictions
• Addictions to hallucinogenic drugs
• Addictions to over the counter medications

Addictions can take many forms. Sometimes they can happen very quickly, but they can also take years before they form.

There are a number of different risk factors that can make someone more susceptible to drug addiction. These can include:

• Being a person who comes from a family of addicts. There is a proven genetic correlation for addiction.
• Living in a place where using drugs is viewed as normal, and not taboo.
• Having a mental health condition and feeling as though using drugs helps with symptoms.
• Experiencing chronic pain, which results in a need for prescription narcotics.
• Environmental factors, including peer pressure.
• The type of drug being abused. Drugs like cocaine, heroin and meth often lead to addiction much faster.
• The method that the drug is used. If the drug is injected, rates of addiction tend to be higher.

Can you relate to any of these? If you can, you are at a high risk of drug addiction.

Usually, the physical signs of addiction are pretty difficult to miss. These include:

• Feeling odd once the drug starts to wear off. You might experience depression, shakiness or sick to your stomach. You could start sweating or experience headaches.
• You may be having sleep disturbances. This can mean that you sleep too much, or not enough. You may also have vivid nightmares.
• You may have bloodshot eyes, or eyes that tear easily.
• You may stop caring as much about what you look like.
• You may develop slurred speech.
• You may develop a tolerance for the amount of drugs you usually take. This means you need more in order to feel the same high.

For someone who is drug addicted, the behavioral signs of addiction are quite evident. The psychological signs of addiction include:

• Being unable to stop using the drug, even if there is a desire to.
• Spending a lot of time thinking about using the drug.
• Obsessing over the drug in other ways. Examples include how to get it, where to get it, and how you'll feel afterwards.
• Losing interest in activities you once loved.
• Having problems keeping up with your normal responsibilities.
• Hiding your drug use from your friends or family.
• Spending time with people who use drugs regularly.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, you are most likely a drug addict. However, it's possible that you're still not entirely convinced. You may recognize yourself in many of the above, but you still feel like your drug use is no big deal. In fact, you may even feel like you could walk away from it tomorrow without caring.

This could be true, but you need to know for sure if it is or not. One way to do that is to take a drug addiction quiz. This quiz will go over many different questions with you. It will ask you questions that may be difficult for you. You'll find yourself facing some hard truths. Be honest in your responses, and you'll soon find out more about whether you're an addict or not.

Many addicts live their lives in denial. When they do, it's up to their families to identify if there is a drug problem. This can be very hard to do.

You may be in this situation yourself. You may know that your loved one has an addiction. However, you want to be sure. Knowing what to look for is so important. As a loved one, you can look for the following in your family member:

• Significant changes in behavior.
• Expressions of irritability.
• Becoming easily agitated
• Frequent bloody noses.
• Having an unusual need for money, or excessive financial problems.
• Changes in their daily routines that are unusual.

It's so hard to face the facts if you have an addicted family member. However, you can get help if this is the situation you're in right now.