No parent, spouse or friend wants to believe that a person he loves is using drugs. Yet once that suspicion enter your mind, it's far better to confirm or clear the suspicion than to continue living in dread. Knowing the top five signs of drug abuse helps to identify a problem and move toward a solution.
Changed Behavior
The first noticeable sign that an individual is using drugs is a change in his behavior. He will suddenly be much less reliable at work or at school, failing to complete assignments, showing up late or missing days, and behaving erratically.
Sleep changes are also noticeable nearly from the beginning. Stimulant drugs can cause an inability to sleep for days, while barbiturates and opiates can cause the drug user to sleep far longer than usual.
A change in appetite--either increase or decrease--that lasts longer than a day or two also may be an indication of drug use. Over time, this will inevitably lead to weight loss or gain, which may be the first sign you notice in a relative or friend you've not seen in a long time.
A person using drugs very often will lose interest in activities he previously enjoyed, no longer participating in hobbies or sports.
New Friends
Another warning sign is when a person stops spending time with her usual group of friends and starts hanging out with a new group. This is of particular concern when old friends start avoiding her, or if she seems to be having problems with old friends. She is also likely to avoid introducing the new friends to family and others in her life.
Money
Using drugs is an expensive habit. A sudden need for money, requests for more money after just having received some and money or valuables disappearing from the home are all signs of possible drug use. Unexplained debt, particularly for a teenager, is a red flag. Of just as much concern is the person who suddenly has more money than usual. He might be selling drugs to support his habit.
Dishonesty
According to the National Institute on Chemical Dependency, a person who frequently gives differing accounts about a situation--in other words, lying to cover his tracks--may be trying to cover up a drug addiction. Lying about where he was, whom he was with or what he was doing may be signs that he is concealing drug use. Drug Abuse Support recommends that if you are suspicious of drug use, ask direct questions until you are satisfied. For example, if you don't believe your son's claim that he was with a friend whom you know, you should say you'll call that friend--and get the phone to follow through.
Paraphernalia
Finding drug paraphernalia in any form--drugs, pipes, syringes, rolling papers, bongs, tourniquets, burned tinfoil or spoons--indicates high probability that she is using drugs. These items most likely do not belong to a friend, no matter how adamantly she denies that they are hers. If you suspect the paraphernalia belongs to a child or other close relative, insist on a drug test immediately.
