Signs of Drug Use

491303_12039776.jpgPersonality Changes

  • Lack of interest in family and family activities
  • Being secretive about friends, possessions, and activities
  • Disrespectful
  • Verbally and physically abusive
  • Acting paranoid or confused
  • Demanding more privacy, locking doors, avoiding eye contact, and sneaking around
  • Change in hobbies or activities
  • Unexplained need for money and stealing money  
  • Defiant of authority

Physical Changes

  • Overtired or hyperactive
  • Poor hygiene or grooming
  • Weight loss or weight gain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Not sleeping or sleeping too much

Social Changes

  • Skipping school
  • Sleeping in class
  • Lack of interest in school work
  • Poor attitude toward sports or other extracurricular activities
  • Reduced memory and attention span
  • Drop in grades

Drug-Specific Signs

drugs-1.jpgMarijuana

  • Glassy, red eyes
  • Loud talking and inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness
  • A sweet burnt scent
  • Loss of interest and motivation
  • Weight gain or loss

Alcohol

  • Clumsiness
  • Difficulty walking
  • Slurred speech
  • Sleepiness
  • Poor judgment
  • Dilated pupils
  • Possession of a false ID card

Depressants (including Barbiturates and Tranquilizers)

  • Seems drunk as if from alcohol but without the associated odor of alcohol
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Clumsiness
  • Poor judgment
  • Slurred speech
  • Sleepiness
  • Contracted pupils

Stimulants

  • Hyperactivity
  • Euphoria
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping at odd times
  • May go long periods of time without eating or sleeping
  • Dilated pupils
  • Weight loss
  • Dry mouth and nose

Inhalants (Glues, Aerosols, and vapors)

  • Watery eyes
  • Impaired vision, memory, and thought
  • Secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth
  • Headaches and nausea
  • Appearance of intoxication
  • Drowsiness
  • Poor muscle control
  • Changes in appetite
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Unusual number of spray cans in the trash

drugs-2.jpgHallucinogens

  • Dilated pupils
  • Bizarre and irrational behaviour including paranoia, aggression, and hallucinations
  • Mood swings
  • Detachment from people
  • Absorption with self or other objects
  • Slurred speech
  • Confusion

Heroin

  • Needle marks
  • Sleeping at unusual times
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Coughing and sniffling
  • Twitching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Contracted pupils
  • No response of pupils to light

Tobacco/Nicotine

  • Smell of tobacco
  • Stained fingers or teeth