How to Recognize Signs of Potential Drug Use

 

If you start to notice a loved one or a coworker seeming more distant, more erratic and less responsible, there is a chance that he or she could be an addict.  There are many signs that can be noticed by observation, and it’s important to know what they are in case he or she is in need of help.

-Noticeable Changes in Mood:

 

Mood is one of the easiest indicators of a possible problem, and it can go in either direction, depending on the drug. Some drugs, including stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines, and hallucinogens like LSD can leave people looking and feeling depressed when they are not using, as the euphoric high they get has worn off. Most drugs can cause unexpected and irrational mood swings in people, even alcohol abuse. A user can seem anxious, unpredictable, and even paranoid. Their mood might switch from giddiness to agitation with no forewarning and can be destructive to both themselves and anyone dealing with them. If someone starts to go through drastic mood swings for a sustained time, with no prior history, it could be a sign of drug use.

 

-Their Personality Shifts:

 

Extended drug use will likely alter someone’s personality, and it will usually be easy to spot. Someone who has been on some type of drug for a while might seem more private and secretive than they were in the past. They could evade questions about their health and what they have been up to, and might dodge invitations. Many types of drugs can leave users feeling anxious, and they will not want to talk about it. They may also seem more lethargic and sluggish, unable to do things they could previously. Excessive use of marijuana or depressants could result in a visible attitude shift and an incontrollable laziness.

 

-Change in Physical Appearance:

 

The other most visible sign of potential drug use is a change in physical appearance and a decline in hygiene and personal care. This is common of drug addiction across the board. All drugs can lead to physical changes and a mental discouragement to keep oneself clean and proper. Most drugs affect the eyes, usually changing the pupils and impairing vision in general. Inhalants and heroin use can leave people nauseous and with a headache. Stimulants and heroin can affect sleeping patterns. Many types of drugs can leave people sick, coughing, or looking fatigued. People may also lack a desire to keep themselves clean, wearing the same clothes for multiple days and deciding not to shower or brush their teeth.

 

-Loss of Appetite or Sudden Weight Changes:

 

Loss of appetite is a common sign of drug use. Stimulants, inhalants and heroin can all affect someone’s diet and cause them to go long periods without eating. If someone starts losing weight at a rapid rate and does not look healthy in doing so, there is definitely something wrong, and it could be a drug-related problem. One of the symptoms of marijuana usage is weight differences in either direction. Marijuana has been shown to potentially cause someone to either lose or gain weight rapidly. A general loss of appetite is also a symptom of many other problems, including fatigue and depression, so it should be not be used as a primary indication of drug use.

 

-Drop in Attendance:

 

An inability to keep responsibilities is a common factor of drug use. If a co-worker’s attendance starts to become irregular without a given reason, then it could be a sign. Likewise, if your child starts to miss school and drop in grades, it could be a sign. Alongside dropping attendance, there might be a decline in responsibility and effectiveness. Drugs can make a mental barrier that blocks a person from properly doing what they are supposed to, and can lead to a noticeable decline in quality. This can be caused by the after-effects of any drug, and could be a symptom of both fatigue and yearning to be back on whatever drug it is.

 

-Lack of Interest in Hobbies:

 

The same barriers that interfere with job performance may also be evident in their personal. Regular drug use can leave someone uninterested in hobbies that once interested them. They might not be interested in much of anything. If someone seems excessively bored, even annoyed, by some hobby they used to enjoy, it could be another sign.  A related sign is a sudden surge in spending, or someone selling some of their valuables for money. Drug use is expensive and can lead people to spend a lot of their money.

 

Again, many of these signs could indicate other issues. If a loved one or an acquaintance exhibits several of these signs for more than a couple days, it should be addressed with him/her in a caring manner.  Most likely the person in question will deny any problem but bringing it to their attention may open the door for them to be comfortable going to you should they choose to seek help.  If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, seek professional help from someone trained and credentialed in substance abuse treatment.