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
Alcohol 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
- Alcohol detected on the breath.
- Extra-ordinary use of mints, mouthwash or even garlic.
- Eyes unusually bright
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Speech will be slurred.
- Watch for drawn-out speech and rambling, sometimes illogical talk.
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Watch for telltale signs of hangover
- Disinterest in breakfast,
- Late sleeping
- Overall grouchiness throughout the day.
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Hidden bottles or cans of alcohol.
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
- Appear drunk, but not been drinking
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Acts intoxicated
- Slurred speech
- Stumbling gate
- Droopy eyes
- Un-warranted sleep episodes –fall asleep at dinner etc
- Listlessness
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Bottles of prescription medicines, pills, blister packs
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
- Constricted, pinpoint pupils
- A nose that appears raw and red (if they sniff the drug)
- Needle marks in arms, behind knees, or ankles
- Do they wear long sleeve shirts even in hot weather to cover their arms
- Are they very pale
- Sweaty and extremely thirsty
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Do they nod off, or dope off, in inappropriate circumstances?
- Do they itch and scratch lightly frequently?
- Very sick one day, cold symptoms, cramps, diarrhea, upset stomach, then perfectly fine the next day
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Little baggies with white or brownish residue
- Empty bottles of prescription medicine for Percocet, Oxycontin, Darvocet, etc
- Used or new hypodermic needles
- Spoons that look like they have been burned on the bottom, possibly bent
- Spoons that look like they have been used to crush pills
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
- Glassy eyes
- Very very large pupils (hidden by sunglasses on occasion)
- A nose that appears raw and red (if they sniff the drug)
- Needle marks in arms, behind knees, or ankles
- Do they wear long sleeve shirts even in hot weather to cover their arms
- Scabs/burns on mouth, burn marks on fingers or arms
- Scabs on arms, face, legs from picking
- Teeth that are weak/broken
- Loss of weight
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Erratic, restless, anxious behavior, irritable
- Trouble sitting still or relaxing, nervous, aggressive
- Do they itch and scratch often picking at parts of their arms, legs, or face
- Long periods of no sleep
- After being up for extended periods of times will “crash” and sleep for extended periods of time
- Tends to move fast, often repeating the same action for hours (cleaning, fixing something)
- May have no appetite or interest in food
- Ramble in their conversation, jumping from one subject to the next
- Constantly sniffing, despite lack of cold or allergies
- constantly licking lips, extremely thirsty
- May sweat profusely
- Sudden change in appetite or weight
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Little baggies with white powder or crystal-looking residue
- Glass pipes, pipes with a bulb at the end, steel pipe or antenna broken with small pieces of brillo pad in them
- Used or new hypodermic needles
- Empty soft drink cans bent and tiny holes poked in them with burn marks at tiny holes
- Very powerful butane lighters with a strong jet flame
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
- Dilated pupils and rapid, darting eyes
- Frequent sweating
- Tooth decay
- Skin lesions and frequent sores that take a long time to heal
- Weight loss
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Obsessive, fidgety behavior
- Repeatedly performint the same task over and over again.
- Constant, rambling conversation
- Wakefulness that lasts for days
- Absence from work or daily routine
- Depression. During withdrawal stages
- Dangerous sexual promiscuity.
- Frustration that they can't seem to focus or think
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Strong smells
- Broken lightbulbs
- Empty plastic bpags
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
- Irritated, bloodshot, red eyes
- Dazed or expressionless appearance
- Dry lips or “cotton mouth”
- Strong odor of burnt rope or grass on person or clothes
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Walking around in a daze or euphoric stupor
- Lack of emotion, “whatever” attitude
- Staring out into space or at nothing
- May go into fits of laughter or laugh when there is nothing to laugh about.
- Putting clothes in wash immediately upon coming home
- Taking a quick shower before being around other
- Suddenly very hungry, “munchies”
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Rolling papers
- “Blunt” cigars
- Bongs
- Larger bags with leafy residue or seeds in them
- Small or “designer” pipes
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
- Glassy eyes
- Possibly very large pupils
- Blank, vacant stare
- Sweating, salivating
- Flushed skin
Drug Addict Mannerisms or Behavior
- Daydreaming, inattentive
- Inappropriate and extended interest in common objects
- Staring for extended time at object or body part, viewing from different angles, The person may also have a similar interest in body parts, such as a finger, hand or food.
- Conversation tends to be esoteric, like a "head trip."
- Hallucinations
- He will experience anxiety for no apparent reason.
Drug Addict items around or hidden in the house, bedroom, etc.
- Empty or full bottles of cold medicine