How to Recognize Drug Abuse

Recognizing when a friend or loved one is abusing drugs can be difficult. Talking to the person about their drug use can be even harder. No one wants a friend or loved one to have a drug problem, but ignoring the signs won't make the problem go away. There is no way to prove someone is abusing drugs without a drug test, but there are signs that you can look for to determine drug abuse.

Instructions

• 1

  Recognize drug abuse by looking for extreme personality changes. A previously well-mannered person may become hostile or violently angry with little provocation. An outgoing individual may become withdrawn and stop participating in activities they previously enjoyed.

• 2

  Pay attention to the people your friend or loved one spends time with on a regular basis. People who abuse drugs often stop seeing people who don't do drugs and begin to associate only with people who are actively involved in drug use.

• 3

  Listen to what the person talks about. A drug abuser may talk a lot about drugs. Sometimes they will talk about how dumb drug use is to make you believe they are not abusing drugs.

• 4

  Notice a change in grades or problems at work. Drug abusers often skip school, stop doing homework or repeatedly lose one job after another due to performance or attendance issues.

• 5

  Monitor your loved one's money or financial situation if possible. Unexplained lack of money, asking to borrow money or stealing are all signs the person may be abusing drugs.

• 6

  Look for changes in the person's appearance. Deterioration in personal hygiene is often seen in drug abusers, also look for bloodshot eyes or drug affected pupils.

• 7

  Recognize that legal problems are a real sign of drug abuse. Drug abusers may have multiple DUI's or arrests for stealing or disorderly conduct. Don't excuse this behavior or minimize the importance of this sign.

• 8

  Understand that drug abuse and addiction can be physical, psychological or both. Drugs control the addict. The drug addict does not control the drugs.

• 9

  Find a local support group. Dealing with a friend or loved one who abuses drugs can be crippling to a family, friendship or marriage. It is not something you should attempt to deal with on your own.