Warning Signs of Drug Use
- Frequent mood swings
- Declining grades or achievement
- Dishonesty about whereabouts
- Dishonesty about a lot of things
- Smoke cigarettes
- Rejects parental values
- Defiant or deceitful behavior
- Red, watery, or glassy eyes
- Frequently uses eye drops
- Stays up late or goes out without explanation
- Have found drugs & paraphernalia in his/her possession
- Missing money or possessions
- Antisocial behavior
- Defensive about drug use
- Draws pot leaves, drugs or drug symbols
- Change in peer group
- A drop in grades
- Seems to have drug-using friends
- Has delinquent friends
Symptoms of Drug Use
Alcohol – Intoxication, watery glazed eyes, mood swings, slurred speech, unsteady walk, & loss of appetite.
Cocaine – Bright staring shiny eyes, excitation, euphoria, high pulse, higher blood pressure, restlessness, insomnia, appetite loss, dramatic mood change & runny nose.
Depressants – Constricted pupils, slow breathing & heart rate, slurred speech, disorientation, & drunken-like behavior.
Ecstasy – Rapid eye movement, chills, sweating, or nausea, confused or depressed behavior.
GHB – Intoxication, increased energy, affectionate and playful behavior, loss of coordination, loss of gag reflex, lack of inhibition.
Heroin – Slowed or slurred speech, constricted pupils, droopy eyelids, vomiting, dry mouth, flushed skin, rapid mood swings from a wakeful to drowsy state.
Inhalants – ‘Wild’ eyes, dilated pupils, psychosis, paranoia, violent actions, paint on face, loss of memory function, & odor of glue or paint.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) – Dilated pupils, hallucinations, poor perception of time and distance; mood will be altered, may experience panic, confusion, & anxiety.
Marijuana – Red eyes, reduced concentration, drowsiness, talkativeness, laughter, hunger, euphoria, relaxed, disoriented behavior & dramatic change in lifestyle.
Methamphetamine – Dilated pupils, bright shiny eyes, excitation, alertness, talkative, increased pulse rate & blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, appetite loss, confusion, paranoia, and sweating.
Mushrooms – Distorted perception, paranoia, nervous or anxious behaviors, rapid mood swings and sweating.
Prescription Drugs (Narcotics) – Pinpoint pupils, euphoria, drowsiness, head nodding, slowed breathing, & apathy.
PCP (Phencyclidine) – Wide staring eyes, hallucination, poor perception of time & distance, paranoia, irritability, panic, confusion, anxiety, slurred speech & loss of memory. Maybe drowsy or hyper; impaired coordination.
Ritalin – Similar to the effects of cocaine when snorted or cooked), nausea, vomiting, headaches, rashes, palpitations, weight loss, tremors, digestive problems, anxiety, paranoia.
Steroids – edginess, excitability, anxiety, anger, perhaps panic, depression, poor concentration, shorter attention span, insomnia, swelling or bloating of the face and/or body, pimples on face & back, & increased muscle bulk.
