The difficult part of identifying drug use in a loved one or coworker is that so many signs can have other, more innocent causes. In teenagers, normal adolescent stress can create behavioral changes that might be mistaken for substance abuse. The American Council for Drug Education suggests that when you are assessing the possibility of drug use, individual signs are not as significant as changes that happen in clusters. Teenagers might experiment with different substances and might exhibit physical signs of each of them.
Behavioral Changes
No matter what the substance, behavioral signs of addiction tend to occur in a pattern, according to Helpguide.org. Your teenager might be hanging out with a new group of friends that she doesn't want to talk about. Adults and adolescents might begin exhibiting a marked lack of responsibility toward school or their jobs. They might disappear for blocks of time when you can't reach them by cell phone. Money becomes a big issue. Whether it is your spouse or your teenager who is using, you might notice money missing from your wallet, extensive ATM withdrawals, even personal property or household items vanishing as they are sold to support a drug habit.
Signs Specific to Marijuana
A marijuana user often indulges daily, according to MayoClinic.com. You might notice that he seems uncoordinated or is always hungry. His reaction times might be off. Bloodshot eyes and loudness are also common. He might also experience respiratory problems and a noticeable change in breathing.
Signs Specific to Narcotics
Users of heroin and oxycodone, distributed under the brand name OxyContin, might seem incapable of feeling pain. If your loved one is using one of these substances, you might notice that she is frequently constipated and experiences a slow breathing pattern. Some narcotics, such as heroin and morphine, are injectable, so she might have visible needle marks or bruising. Twitching, vomiting and contracted pupils are also signs of narcotics use.
Signs Specific to Depressants
Barbiturates and tranquilizers, such as Valium, Xanax and Librium, might make a user appear to be drunk. She can appear clumsy and have trouble speaking clearly. Depressants will also make a user's pupils contract. She might experience drops in blood pressure when she is using, according to MayoClinic.com. Helpguide.org includes methaqualone, also called Qualudes, and rohypnol or "roofies" in this category.
Signs Specific to Stimulants
If someone you know is using amphetamines, cocaine or methamphetamines, she might seem hyper. She might talk rapidly and often seem unable to sit still. Insomnia is a common sign of stimulant use, as well as weight loss because appetite is affected. When the drug wears off, she might have a tendency to "crash" and sleep at odd times and for extended durations.
Signs Specific to Hallucinogens
These include LDS and PCP, or phencyclidine, and ecstasy. Signs of use include sensory confusion, such as a belief that the user can hear colors. Hallucinations are common. The user might be unusually withdrawn and self-focused when experiencing them, or giddy and excited. Dilated pupils and sudden aggression are also signs of hallucinogen use.
