What is Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, involves the repeated and excessive use of a drug to produce pleasure or escape reality—despite its destructive effects. The substances abused can be illegal drugs such as marijuana and cocaine, or legal substances used improperly, such as prescription drugs and inhalants like nail polish or gasoline. But whatever the drug of choice, substance abuse can be identified by the maladaptive way in which it takes over the user's life, disrupting his or her relationships, daily functioning, and peace of mind.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction and Abuse

• Inability to relax or have fun without doing drugs.
• Sudden changes in work or school attendance and quality of work or grades.
• Frequently borrowing money, selling possessions, or stealing items from employer, home, or school.
• Angry outbursts, mood swings, irritability, manic behavior, or overall attitude change.
• Talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks.
• Deterioration of physical appearance and grooming.
• Wearing sunglasses and/or long sleeve shirts frequently or at inappropriate times.
• No longer spending time with friends who don't use drugs and/or associating with known users.
• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors, such as making frequent trips to the restroom, basement, or other isolated areas where drug use would be undisturbed.
• Talking about drugs all the time and pressuring others to use.
• Expressing feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness.
• Using drugs first thing in the morning.

Warning Signs of Teen Drug Use

• Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades.
• Increased secrecy about possessions or activities.
• Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors.
• Subtle changes in conversations with friends (more secretive, using “coded” language).
• New friends.
• Change in clothing choices — new fascination with clothes that highlight drug use.
• Evidence of drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and rolling papers.
• Evidence of inhaling products and accessories, such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, paper bags and rags, and common household products.
• Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.