HOPE — Signs & Symptoms of Drug Use
Signs & Symptoms of Drug Use
Drug use is not always easy to spot. Many of the symptoms associated with use of alcohol or narcotics could be misunderstood as normal adolescent behavior.
Here are some general signs to be on the lookout for.
- A drop in academic performance, truancy.
- Peer changes. Hanging out with a new crowd.
- Secretiveness. Talking in "drug slang" with friends.
- Burning incense to hide odors.
- Mood swings, depression.
- Frequently asking for money.
- Alcohol or prescription medicines start disappearing without explanation.
- Empty hairspray or Liquid Paper bottles (used as inhalants).
- Wearing drug-related clothing.
- Use of eye drops, mints, or mouthwash to hide signs.
- Drug paraphernalia.
- Your teen's patterns of eating or sleeping are disrupted
- Your teen visits pro-drug sites on the internet
- You find cough, cold, or prescription medicines in your child's things, but he or she is not sick
Drug Related Health Issues to be on the lookout for:
- Excessive nosebleeds could be a sign of snorted drugs, such as cocaine or meth.
- Runny nose, not caused by allergies or a cold
- Frequent sickness
- Sores, spots around mouth
- Queasy, nauseous
- If your child has a seizure but does not have epilepsy, you should be aware that it could have been caused by huffing inhalants.
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Headaches
- Sweatiness
- Wetting lips or excessive thirst (known as cotton mouth)
- Sudden or dramatic weight loss or gain (Heroin, cocaine, meth, amphetamines and prescription stimulants are associated with severe weight loss due to suppression of appetitie.
Signs & Symptoms of Commonly Abused Drugs
Marijuana/Weed/Pot
Rapid, loud talking and bursts of laughter in early stages of intoxication. Sleepy or daze in the later stages. Forgetfulness in conversation. Inflammation in whites of eyes; pupils unlikely to be dilated. Odor similar to burnt rope on clothing or breath. Brown residue on fingers. Tendency to drive slowly - below speed limit.
Distorted sense of time passage—tendency to overestimate time intervals. Use or possession of paraphernalia including roach clip, packs of rolling papers, pipes or bongs. Marijuana users are difficult to recognize unless they are under the influence of the drug at the time of observation. Casual users may show none of the general symptoms. Marijuana does have a distinct odor and may be the same color or a bit greener than tobacco.
Narcotics/Prescription Drugs/Heroin/Opium/Codeine/Oxycontin
Lethargy, drowsiness. Constricted pupils fail to respond to light. Redness and raw nostrils from inhaling heroin in power form. Scars (tracks) on inner arms or other parts of body, from needle injections. Use or possession of paraphernalia, including syringes, bent spoons, bottle caps, eye droppers, rubber tubing, cotton, and needles. Slurred speech. While there may be no readily apparent symptoms of analgesic abuse, it may be indicated by frequent visits to different physicians or dentists for prescriptions to treat pain of non-specific origin. In cases where patient has chronic pain and abuse of medication is suspected, it may be indicated by amounts and frequency taken.
Inhalants
Substance odor on breath and clothes. Runny nose. Watering eyes. Drowsiness or unconsciousness. Poor muscle control. Prefers group activity to being alone. Presence of bags or rags containing dry plastic cement or other solvent at home, in locker at school or at work. Discarded whipped cream, spray paint or similar chargers (users of nitrous oxide). Small bottles labeled "incense" (users of butyl nitrite).
