Ringsend & District Response to Drugs 

Warning signs that a friend or family member is abusing drugs

Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplay their problem. If you’re worried that a friend or family member might be abusing drugs, look for the following warning signs:

 

Physical warning signs of drug abuse

• Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual

• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns

• Sudden weight loss or weight gain

• Deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits

• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing

• Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination

 

 

 

Behavioral signs of drug abuse

• Drop in attendance and performance at work or school

• Unexplained need for money or financial problems; may borrow or steal to get it.

• Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors

• Sudden change in friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies

• Frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities)

 

 

 

 Psychological warning signs of drug abuse

• Unexplained change in personality or attitude

• Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts

• Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness

• Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out”

• Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason

 

 

 

 

Warning signs of commonly abused drugs

• Marijuana: Glassy, red eyes; loud talking, inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness; loss of interest, motivation; weight gain or loss.

• Depressants (including Xanax, Valium, GHB): Contracted pupils; drunk-like; difficulty concentrating; clumsiness; poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness.

• Stimulants (including amphetamines, cocaine, crystal meth): Dilated pupils; hyperactivity; euphoria; irritability; anxiety; excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping at odd times; may go long periods of time without eating or sleeping; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.

• Inhalants (glues, aerosols, vapors): Watery eyes; impaired vision, memory and thought; secretions from the nose or rashes around the nose and mouth; headaches and nausea; appearance of intoxication; drowsiness; poor muscle control; changes in appetite; anxiety; irritability; lots of cans/aerosols in the trash.

• Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP): Dilated pupils; bizarre and irrational behavior including paranoia, aggression, hallucinations; mood swings; detachment from people; absorption with self or other objects, slurred speech; confusion.

• Heroin: Contracted pupils; no response of pupils to light; needle marks; sleeping at unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing, sniffling; twitching; loss of appetite.

 

 

Warning signs of teen drug abuse

While experimenting with drugs doesn’t automatically lead to drug abuse, early use is a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse and addiction. Risk of drug abuse also increases greatly during times of transition, such as changing schools, moving, or divorce. The challenge for parents is to distinguish between the normal, often volatile, ups and downs of the teen years and the red flags of substance abuse.

These include:

• Having bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils; using eye drops to try to mask these signs

• Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly getting into trouble at school

• Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions

• Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn, angry, or depressed

• Dropping one group of friends for another; being secretive about the new peer group

• Loss of interest in old hobbies; lying about new interests and activities

• Demanding more privacy; locking doors; avoiding eye contact; sneaking around.

 

 

Someone Who Refuses Help

If a person does not want to give up using drugs or alcohol, there is very little that you can do to help them.

No one can force another person to get help, no matter how much that help is needed. One thing that you can do is to look after yourself and the other members of your family. We understand how the drug or alcohol misuse of one person can affect so many others.

We developed our Family Support Service to respond to this situation. This service provides confidential advice, information and one-to-one support, just for the members of families of people with drug and alcohol problems.

 

Behaviour patterns may vary. All these signs may be attributed to adolescence.

 

 

General signs of substance use:

• Secrecy about activities, slyness, caginess

• Staying out unusually late

• A lot of new friends, perhaps an older crowd

• Lack of interest in old hobbies and activities

• Memory loss

• Mood swings - quite suddenly, may have fits of temper

• short attention span

• Not taking care of appearance

• Wearing sunglasses to hie effects of drugs on the eyes

• Using deodorant or incense to hide the smell of drugs

• Always being broke and trying to borrow money

• Stealing from home or outside - money or stuff they can sell

• Using slang terms for drugs

• Social, persona and family relationships suffer

• Poor work / school performance, may be skipping days

• Losing appetite and weight

• Becoming withdrawn and not wanting to talk