What are Signs of Drug Abuse

People who are addicted to illicit substances often leave traces of their use. These signs include changes in behavior, assorted paraphernalia and an altered physical appearance.

General Signs of Drug Abuse

Drug abusers have a few common traits no matter what their substance of choice. These traits reflect a user's mental health, appearance and changes in attitude.

• Using drugs to escape negative emotions. Many people self-medicate with drugs to manage feelings of depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia or even everyday stress instead of using healthier coping methods.
• Hiding or lying about certain behaviors or activities. Drug users hide their abuse from their families and other loved ones due to feelings of guilt, shame or denial. Many also don't want to be confronted about their behavior.
• Sudden, drastic changes in attitude. Drug abuse and addiction can turn calm, mild-mannered people into irritable aggressors.
• Changes in hobbies and priorities. Individuals addicted to drugs often fall behind on their personal responsibilities, like work, school and family. Addicts in these situations often experience serious consequences - their families might cease contact, or they may be evicted from their homes for failing to pay rent. If a person no longer gets happy at the thought of participating in their favorite hobbies or activities, he or she might be depressed. Unfortunately, depressed people often self-medicate with drugs.
• Theft or missing items. Serious addicts sometimes steal money or valuable goods from their loved ones in order to buy drugs.
• Needing more of a drug to experience the same high. An increasing tolerance for drugs is a key indicator of abuse and addiction.
• Consuming drugs in inappropriate situations. Addicts can't help themselves and often feel the need to consume drugs before or during work, while driving or when taking other medication.
• Continuing to recklessly use drugs after a bad experience. One close call is enough to convince some people to quit drugs. People who continue to use after an accident, injury, encounter with the law or other situation are likely abusing.
• Trying and failing to quit. This is a clear sign of addiction. People who find themselves unable to quit drugs should seek professional help.
• Unexplained illness. Users who share needles are at risk for contracting HIV, hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases.

Signs of drug abuse include changes in behavior and physical appearance.

Signs of Specific Drugs

Understanding the specific signs, symptoms and effects of each drug helps loved ones know which substances the addict takes. This provides a launching point for further research, intervention or treatment.

Signs of Alcohol Abuse
Because of its legality and acceptance in popular culture, it's sometimes difficult to determine if a person is abusing alcohol. The key is if the person feels the need to constantly drink or continues to consume large amounts of alcohol despite the consequences.

• Slurred speech and loss of coordination. These are typical signs of drunkenness, but they could indicate abuse or addiction if they happen frequently.
• Drinking excessively on an empty stomach. Some people deliberately drink before eating so they feel the effects of alcohol faster.
• Blackouts. Drinking to the point of passing out and/or suffering memory loss is never healthy. To reach this level of intoxication, a person must drink enough alcohol in one sitting to risk alcohol poisoning. If a person consistently drinks enough to blackout, it could be a sign that he or she is trying to escape from daily life.

Signs of Amphetamine Abuse
Amphetamines are a stimulant, leading people to feel elated and energetic. They work quickly but are often followed by a harsh crash.

• Feelings of invincibility. People stimulated by amphetamines believe they can accomplish near-impossible tasks.
• Frequent emotional highs and lows. Amphetamine addicts often cycle between binging and crashing.
• Weight loss. Amphetamines reduce the appetite, causing users to lose weight if they abuse the drug for a long period of time.
• Physical symptoms. Amphetamines cause an increase in body temperature and blood pressure, dry mouth, shortness of breath, dilated pupils, euphoria and a decrease in exhaustion and appetite.

Signs of Cocaine Abuse
The effects of cocaine are felt quickly but don't last long. Users feel the high within a few minutes when snorting the drug and a few seconds when smoking it. Because the drug wears off after a few minutes to an hour, people tend to ingest it in binges, increasing the risk of addiction.

• Disappearing and then returning in a more excitable, confident mood. A person abusing powdered cocaine will often leave to consume the drug in private. Cocaine affects the brain quickly, so users will return in a different mood. They can be excited, confident, sexually adventurous, paranoid or restless.
• Issues with nasal passages. Snorting cocaine can cause a person to lose his or her sense of smell. It also leads to issues like nosebleeds, chronic runny nose, difficulty swallowing and damaged nasal passages.
• Physical symptoms. Cocaine use leads to an elevated heart rate, constricted blood vessels, dilated pupils, nausea, tremors, higher body temperature and increased blood pressure.

Signs of Heroin Abuse
Because of the distinct way the drug is created and consumed, heroin abuse is one of the easiest to identify.

• Unexplained needles and needle marks. Heroin users generally inject the drug into veins in the arm or between the fingers or toes.
• Wearing long sleeves or pants, even in warm weather. Drug abusers wear clothing to hide their track marks.
• Bent, burned spoons. To convert powdered heroin to liquid, users often place the drug on a bent kitchen spoon and hold it above a small flame.
• Persistent runny nose. Heroin suppresses the immune system, so users are often sick.
• Profuse sweating, limb cramps and severe muscle and bone aches. These are symptoms of heroin withdrawal.
• Physical symptoms. Heroin use leads to nausea, itching, vomiting, slower breathing and heart rates and dry mouth.

Signs of MDMA Abuse
MDMA, also known as Molly or ecstasy, is common among partiers and club-goers.

• Persistent partying. This isn't exactly a sign of abuse, although people active in club scenes generally take the drug while out at parties. If a person comes home late at night - or early in the morning - exceptionally energetic while also a little confused, he or she might have taken MDMA while out.
• Pacifiers and lollipops. MDMA causes involuntary teeth clenching. Users often suck on pacifiers or lollipops to relieve their jaws.
• Bottled water. Taking ecstasy quickly makes a person dehydrated - dangerously so if a lot is consumed in one night. Partygoers often carry bottles of water with them so they don't suffer this side effect.
• Physical symptoms. MDMA causes euphoria, increased energy, rapid eye movement, blurred vision, confusion, dehydration and hyperthermia. It also elevates heart rate and blood pressure. Over time, use can lead to paranoia, faintness, anxiety, sleep problems, depression and epileptic fits.

Signs of Marijuana Abuse
People prescribed medical marijuana may have some of these symptoms, but it's good to keep an eye out for abuse or excessive recreational consumption.

• Bloodshot eyes. Some users carry eye drops to hide the fact that they smoke marijuana.
• Increased appetite. Marijuana can make people eat almost mindlessly, a condition many people refer to as "the munchies."
• Strong incense or heavy cologne. Like tobacco, marijuana has a distinct smell that can get trapped in clothes, carpets and furniture.
• Emotional changes. Marijuana makes people confused, giggly, talkative, sleepy or secretive depending on the strain. It can also worsen coordination and memory and alter a person's perception of time.
• Various paraphernalia. People use vaporizers, decorative glass pipes or cigarette rolling papers to smoke marijuana.

Signs of Methamphetamine Abuse
Meth users are easily identified by changes in their physical appearance.

• Poor oral health. Prolonged use of methamphetamines leads to jaw clenching and severe tooth decay. This condition is commonly known as "meth mouth."
• Ekbom's syndrome. In rare occasions, meth users experience a sensation where it feels like invisible bugs are crawling over or under their skin. This syndrome is more commonly known as "meth mites" or "ice bugs." Sometimes, people scratch or dig at their skin hard enough to create open sores. Because not all users experience Ekbom's syndrome, relying on this sign alone as evidence of meth use is not a good idea.
• Changes in behavior. Meth causes anxiety, insomnia, irritability, paranoia, aggression, violence and psychotic behavior. It also increases feelings of homicide and suicide.
• Repetition. One little-known symptom of meth is that it causes people to repeat simple, meaningless tasks.
• Tweaking. Someone who's been on meth for three or more days is called a tweaker. If someone is tweaking, their eyes generally move rapidly, their actions are quick and jerky, and they often have a slight tremor in their voice.
• Changes in overall appearance. Using meth leads to hair loss, oily skin and constricted blood vessels that reduce blood flow. Eventually, the skin stops receiving enough blood, causing it to turn gray and leathery and develop acne sores that don't heal.

Signs of Prescription Painkiller Abuse
People don't always start out using prescription painkillers with the intent to get high. Sometimes, they are prescribed opiates for legitimate medical reasons and find themselves addicted.

• Frequently refilling prescriptions. Painkiller abusers use various tactics to acquire more pills. Sometimes they will intentionally lose or destroy their prescriptions to get more, or they'll seek prescriptions from multiple doctors. Other times, they'll steal from others or forge a doctor's signature.
• Mood swings related to the availability or absence of painkillers. Addicts will suddenly become angry or combative when their prescriptions aren't available or when someone suggests they quit.
• Physical symptoms. Using opioids leads to nausea, shortness of breath, constipation, disorientation and a sudden decrease in blood pressure.

Signs of Tobacco Abuse

Tobacco is another socially accepted drug, although government initiatives and the effect of second-hand smoke make some more averse to smoking than to alcohol.

• Stained teeth and fingers. Nicotine turns teeth and skin yellow. Chronic smokers will develop this stain between the pointer and middle finger of their dominant hand.
• Scent of tobacco. The clothes and home of heavy smokers have a distinct and very noticeable smell of cigarettes or cigars.
• An irrational fear of weight gain. Smoking decreases the appetite, and long-term addiction can lead people to lose weight. Some are afraid they'll binge eat if they stop smoking cigarettes.
• Physical symptoms. Nicotine and tobacco can cause sweating, diarrhea and nausea, as well as elevate heart rate and blood pressure. It also causes the body to produce more phlegm and saliva and stimulates the intestines.