How to Recognize the Signs & Symptoms of Drug Abuse

The signs and symptoms of drug abuse can mimic the symptoms of depression or stress, especially if you don't look carefully at the person's overall patterns. However, drug abuse tends to reveal itself across the full spectrum of a person's life, including obvious changes in the behavior, physical appearance or personality of the person. Whether you're afraid a friend, employee or your child is using drugs, becoming familiar with this list of signs can help you determine how concerned you should be.

Instructions

• 1

  Take note of a shift in attitude, such as a previously positive or engaged person becoming apathetic towards his friendships or other relationships, social commitments, or work. A drug abuser may also become erratic in his attitude, fluctuating between an apathetic attitude and an excitable attitude.

• 2

  Watch the individual's performance at work or at school for any extreme behavior or any behavior markedly different from her ordinary patterns. For example, Brighton Hospital explains, drug addiction can lead to workaholic behavior, higher error rates, lower production rates, overall disorganization and tardiness or absenteeism.

• 3

  Notice the individual's personal hygiene. Someone who is abusing drugs is likely to pay less attention to taking care of her body, teeth and hair.

• 4

  Realize that drug abuse can lead to erratic or unusual social behavior, including acting in flamboyant and embarrassing ways in social settings or becoming increasingly more isolated from social activities.

• 5

  Talk to the person and observe his responses. Under the influence of some drugs, such as marijuana or hallucinogenics, the user will find it difficult to respond appropriately and may provide illogical answers or answer too quickly or too slowly. Other drugs will cause slurred speech. Brighton Hospital further notes that someone under the influence of drugs may find it difficult "to focus and track in a conversation."

• 6

  Check the person's eyes, as many drugs cause distinctive changes to the eyes while the individual is under the influence of the drug. The American Council for Drug Education notes that alcohol, stimulants, hallucinogenic drugs and marijuana cause dilated pupils. Heroin and other depressants cause contracted pupils. Additionally, bloodshot eyes may be a sign of recent marijuana use, and perpetually watering eyes can indicate the use of inhalants.

• 7

  Learn to recognize drugs and drug paraphernalia. OHS Health and Safety Services, a drug-testing company, provides a collection of photos of drugs and paraphernalia to help you readily identify them if you come across them.