general signs & symptoms of drug use...

With addiction comes guilt, shame, entrapment and the hidden truth. Our motto here at RU is, "Only the truth makes free," and so we have to expose the lies to end the bondage that addiction brings. Below are a few of the physical and behavioral signs of drug abuse, Keep in mind that some of these symptoms could just be the growing pains of adolescence, depression or a host of other disorders or illnesses.  The key is change...it warrants attention when there is significant physical, behavioral, personality, or attitude shifts that persist or occur in clusters. This list is not intended to diagnose addiction, it is simply to serve as a cautionary guide.

  • Physical signs of drug addiction...

    • Change in appearance
    • Change in appetite or eating habits - either unexplained weight loss or gain
    • Slowed or staggered walk and poor physical coordination
    • Change in sleeping patterns, such as insomnia or extreme fatigue and or laziness
    • Red, watery eyes; enlarged or dilated pupils; blank stare
    • Cold, sweaty palms
    • Puffy face; blushing or paleness
    • Smell of substance on body, clothes or breath
    • Extreme hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness
    • Runny nose; hacking cough but has no allergy or cold
    • Needle marks on lower arm, top of hand, or even in-between toes
    • Nausea, vomiting, or excessive sweating
    • Tremors of head or extremities
    • Irregular heartbeat

  • behavioral signs of drug addiction...

    • Change in overall attitude or personality with no identifiable cause
    • Change in friends, new hangouts with sudden avoidance of old crowd; doesn't want to talk about new friends; new friends are known drug users
    • Changes in activities or hobbies
    • Drop in grades at school; poor work performance; skips or is late for work/class
    • Change in habits at home; disinterested in family or family activities
    • Difficulty paying attention; Forgetfulness
    • Lack of motivation, energy, and/or self-esteem; apathetic or withdrawn
    • Sudden over-sensitivity; temper-tantrums; resentful behavior
    • Abusive verbally, emotionally, or physically
    • Moodiness; irritability; nervousness
    • Silliness / giddiness
    • Paranoia
    • Excessive need for privacy; unreachable
    • Secretive or suspicious acting
    • Car accidents
    • Chronic Dishonesty
    • Unexplained need for money; stealing
    • Change in personal grooming habits
    • Possession of drug paraphenalia

  • drug-specific symptoms...

    With so many drugs on the market, it can be tough to isolate the specific addiction. Here are some of the different classifications and their side effects or tell signs...


    MARIJUANA:

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

    ALCOHOL:

    • Clumsiness or difficulty walking
    • Slurred speech
    • Sleepiness
    • Poor judgement
    • Dilated pupils
    • Possession of fake ID

    DEPRESSANTS: [INCLUDING BARBITUATES & TRANQUILIZERS]

    • Drunken behavior without the smell of alcohol
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Clumsiness
    • Poor judgement
    • Slurred speech
    • Sleepiness
    • Contracted pupils

    STIMULANTS [CRYSTAL METH & CRACK COCAINE]

    • Hyperactive or euphoria
    • Irritability
    • Anxiety
    • Excessive talking followed by depression
    • Excessive sleeping at odd times
    • Long periods with orwithout eating or sleeping
    • Dilated pupils
    • Weight Loss
    • Dry mouth and nose

    INHALANTS [GLUES / AEROSOLS / VAPORS]

    • Watery eyes and/or impaired vision, memory, or thinking ability
    • Secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth
    • Headaches and nausea
    • Appears intoxicated or drowsy
    • Poor muscle control
    • Changes in appetite
    • Anxiety or irritability
    • Unusual number of discarded spray cans

    HALLUCINOGENS

    • Dilated Pupils
    • Bizarre, irrational behavior: paranoia, aggression, hallucinations, mood swings
    • Detached
    • Self-absorbed or fixated on other objects
    • Slurred speech
    • Confusion

    HEROIN

    • Needle marks
    • Sleeping at unusual times
    • Sweating
    • Vomiting
    • Coughing and sniffing
    • Twitching
    • Loss of appetite
    • Contracted pupils
    • No response of pupils to light
    • Nodding off
    • Scratching
    • Itchy, runny nose