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Identify Signs of Drug Abuse

In all instances of substance abuse, watch for a tendency on the part of the abuser to refrain and shun conversation and face-to-face meetings with others.

You are watching for behavior that represents a somewhat dramatic change in character from previous experience.

The signs of drug abuse and drug addiction can be and will be explained away by the person using the drugs.

Signs Of Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction - Alcohol Abuse

Get HelpAlcohol is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream, and goes to all the tissues. The effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person's size, weight, age, and sex, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed. The disinhibiting effect of alcohol is one of the main reasons it is used in so many social situations. Other effects of moderate alcohol intake include dizziness and talkativeness. The immediate effects of a larger amount of alcohol include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol, even in small amounts, significantly impairs the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate amounts of alcohol can also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic violence and child abuse. Hangovers are another possible effect after large amounts of alcohol are consumed; a hangover consists of headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness, and fatigue.

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

Signs of Drug Abuse and Drug Aaddiction - Prescription Drug Abuse

The abuse of prescription drugs often begins with a legitimate visit to a doctor or emergency room. The patient is treated for pain, anxiety, or depression. The original intent of the drug use was to relieve a symptom. The fact that the drugs being given have a high rate of addiction is not discussed, or is under emphasized. People who have never taken an illegal drug in their lives are introduced to a substance that seems to remove the pain or solve a problem. Along with the medical advice being given to them, they are convinced they have found the solution to their problems. They are given the information that drugs are in fact a solution. This makes this type of addiction very hard to detect until it becomes life threatening. If you are someone you love is being prescribed any medication, do your own research, understand the side effects of the drug. Have an honest discussion with your physician about the chances for abuse of the drug you are being prescribed.

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

Signs Of Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction - Opiates

Heroin is a white to dark brown powder or tar-like substance. It is normally stored in very small plastic baggies, (like a miniature zip-lock baggie) or in the corner of a plastic baggie which is then tied off or knotted. If you find small empty baggies with any residue in them this may suggest the use of heroin. Pills may also be stored in small baggies, as well as folded up pieces of paper, or in matchboxes and cigarette packs. These may be stored in other pill bottles.

Discarded syringes, spoons hidden with burn marks on the bottom, with residue in them indicate drug use. The person’s physical appearance will also give clues of possible drug use, for example, heroin or other opiates will cause the person to have constricted pupils which will appear like pinpoints or small dots, and another clue is that someone on opiates will usually itch and scratch frequently. Depending on how the person is using the drug, their nose may be red and raw, if snorting, or they will have needle marks on their arms, behind the knees or ankles. They may or not be very pale, sweating when the temperature is not hot.

If someone is withdrawing, they will have flu-like symptoms, cramps, and nausea and diarrhea. These will disappear immediately after using again. They are usually very thirsty. Opiates affect people in different ways: some may get very "hyper" (active or frantic) and run around working or looking busy while others get very lethargic (nodding or doping off). The person may go around asking others for money. This will not be small change for cigarettes, but more like $20 or $40 here or there.

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior

Signs Of Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction - Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine addiction can occur very quickly and be very difficult to break. Animal studies have shown that animals will work very hard (press a bar over 10,000 times) for a single injection of cocaine, choose cocaine over food and water, and take cocaine even when this behavior is punished. Animals must have their access to cocaine limited in order not to take toxic or even lethal doses. People addicted to cocaine behave similarly. They will go to great lengths to get cocaine and continue to take it even when it hurts their school or job performance and their relationships with loved ones.

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

Signs of Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse - Methamphetamine Abuse

As with amphetamine use, it causes an increase in energy, a decrease in appetite, and produces an overwhelming feeling of well being. After the "rush" the effects can last 6 to 8 hours. In some individuals after the initial "rush" there may result a state of high agitation that can lead to violent behavior and the inability to complete simple cycles of action. Classified as a Schedule II stimulant, methamphetamine creates a high potential for abuse.

Methamphetamine actually looks like off-color chunks of crystals, broken glass or ice. It is easily dissolvable in water or alcohol and is a white or off-white colored, sometimes odorless, and bitter-tasting crystalline powder.

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

Signs Of Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction- Cannabis, Marijuana, Hash Abuse

Marijuana came to represent love and peace in the 60s and has never quite lost that image but this is far from the truth. Anyone who uses marijuana regularly is more likely to engage in aggressive and violent behavior, cause trouble at school and destroy property. Violence at a global level is connected with marijuana trafficking. In California, Mexican drug trafficking organizations, with high-powered assault weapons, control the marijuana fields, not peace-loving flower children with their beads. Criminal groups operating from Mexico promote their version of love and peace through torture, executions and other acts of violence. Marijuana is not harmless, contrary to common misconception. The use of marijuana can lead to health, safety, learning and social problems and abuse of other harmful drugs. Marijuana is more potent than it used to be, increasing the problems.

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

In all instances of substance abuse, watch for a tendency on the part of the abuser to refrain and shun conversation and face-to-face meetings with others. You are watching for behavior that represents a somewhat dramatic change in character from previous experience.

The signs of drug abuse and drug addiction can be and will be explained away by the person using the drugs. If these signs are present, don't hesitate. Call Narconon Drug Rehab for a free confidential consultation.

SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE AND DRUG ADDICTION-LSD and HALLUCINOGENS ABUSE

Drug Addict Physical Appearance
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.

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