Signs of Drug Usage

The tangible symptoms associated with drug use are varied depending on the ingested drug, but there are surefire tell-tale signs that serve as indicators to the use of illicit substances. This article discusses those indicators.

Misconceptions

• Not everyone acts the same way when they are "high." People who are drunk, for example, act differently according to the environment and their "sober personality".

General Symptoms

• According to the American Council for Drug Education, general symptoms of drug use include a change in appetite, decreased physical coordination, altered sleeping patterns, changes in the eyes (redness or pupil changes), clammy hands, unusual sweating, tremors, unusual "blushed" or pallor appearance, the obvious odor of substances on the clothes or breath, hyperactivity, a runny nose or hacking cough, injection marks on the skin, unusual nausea or consequent vomiting and an irregular heartbeat.

Behavioral Symptoms

• The ACDE goes on to say that other symptoms may accompany drug use, including behavioral changes where no other reasonable cause for such changes are present. Generally, mood swings (from giddiness to paranoia) may be an indicator, along with increased habitual dishonest and thievery. An obsessive nature concerning privacy and personal space may especially be an issue around family and old friends, whereas new friends will rarely be discussed. Apathy, poor performance at work or school, and a change in interests may also serve as an indicator, as well as a change in fashion or grooming habits. The most obvious sign of potential drug use is the presence of drugs or the apparatus for using the drug (such as a needle or pipe).

Considerations

• The presence of such symptoms, according to the ACDE, is not necessarily an automatic indicator of drug usage. Illnesses or other ailments can affect behavior or cause physical symptoms. Depression is widely known to cause apathy or changes in appetite and sleeping patterns. Affiliates of suspected drug users should take these considerations into account.

Verification

• One reasonably concrete method for determining actual drug use is a drug test, which takes samples of body material (like hair or saliva) and tests for the presence of drugs. While no test is absolutely fool-proof and there are myriad ways a user may manipulate or contaminate the tests, drug tests given by businesses and law enforcement are generally considered sufficient proof for drug use.

Warning

• This article is not written with the intention of diagnosing or treating any condition. Drug users may become violent or delusional, which will increase risk to themselves and those around them. Do not confront a potential drug user alone.