Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Common warning signs of drug and alcohol use:

• Change in friends
• Best friend who uses drugs
• Older friends
• Daily tobacco use
• Sudden changes in behaviour or moods
• Secretiveness, callers who hang up
• Sensitivity about privacy
• Withdrawal from family
• Loss of interest in family and school/work
• Drop in performance at school
• Increases or reductions in appetite
• Use of street talk or drug language

Specific signs for some common drugs:

Alcohol

• Red eyes
• Lack of co-ordination
• Slurred speech
• Alcohol on breath
• Accidents, bruises, etc.
• Morning headaches

Marijuana

• Very red eyes
• Increased appetite
• Lethargy
• Loss of concentration
• Distorted sense of time
• Poor memory
• rolling papers, scissors, lighter, plastic bag or film case with sticky green brown or yellowish material

Amphetamine or Cocaine

• Dilated pupils
• Restlessness
• Rapid speech
• Repetitive behaviors
• Sleep disturbances
• May cause severe paranoia
• Runny nose
• Hallucinations
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid heart-rate
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Sensitivity to stimuli
• Extreme moods, uncontrollable laughter or panic

Dazed look ©2003 Marvin Krank, Ph.D.

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