Substance Use Signs

LISTEN TO YOUR INTUITIVE VOICE THAT SOMETHING COULD BE WRONG

Do you suspect that your child is using alcohol, marijuana, or another illicit substance? Are you worried? Have you noticed some changes with your child? As a parent, it is normal to be concerned.

Warning signs that your child could be using alcohol, vape devices, marijuana, or other illicit substances

The use and abuse of alcohol and drugs are serious issues that should not be ignored or minimized and we should not sit back and hope they just go away. If left untreated, use and abuse can develop into drug dependence or alcoholism. As a result, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol and drug abuse early. If you’re worried that your son or daughter might be using an illicit substance, here are some of the warning signs to look for:

Physical and health warning signs of drug use

> Eyes that are bloodshot or pupils that are smaller or larger than normal.
> Frequent nosebleeds could be related to snorted drugs (meth or cocaine).
> Changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
> Seizures without a history of epilepsy.
> Deterioration in personal grooming or physical appearance.
> Impaired coordination, injuries/accidents/bruises that they won’t or can’t tell you about- they don’t know how they got hurt.
> Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
> Shakes, tremors, incoherent or slurred speech, impaired or unstable coordination.

Behavioral signs of substance abuse

> Skipping class, declining grades, getting in trouble at school.
> Drop in and performance at work, loss of interest in extracurricular activities, hobbies, sports or exercise, decreased motivation.
> Complaints from co-workers, supervisors, teachers, or classmates.
> Missing money, valuables, prescription or prescription drugs, borrowing and stealing money.
> Acting isolated, silent, withdrawn, engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviors.
> Clashes with family values and beliefs.
> Preoccupation with alcohol and drug-related lifestyle in music, clothing, and posters.
> Demanding more privacy, locking doors, and avoiding eye contact.
> Sudden change in relationships, friends, favorite hangouts, and hobbies.
> Frequently getting into trouble (arguments, fights, accidents, illegal activities).
> Using incense, perfume, air freshener to hide smell of smoke or drugs.
> Using eyedrops to mask bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils.

Psychological warning signs of illicit substance use

> Unexplained, confusing change in personality, and/or attitude.
> Sudden mood changes, irritability, angry outbursts, or laughing at nothing.
> Periods of unusual hyperactivity or agitation.
> Lack of motivation, inability to focus, appears lethargic or “spaced out”.
> Appears fearful, withdrawn, anxious, or paranoid, with no apparent reason.

Signs and symptoms of substance dependence

Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but also involves another element: physical dependence- tolerance and withdrawal.

Tolerance

> Tolerance means that, over time, you need more alcohol to feel the same effect. Do you drink more than you used to? Do you drink more than other people without showing obvious signs of intoxication?

Withdrawal

> As the effect of the alcohol wears off, you may experience withdrawal symptoms: anxiety or jumpiness, shakiness or trembling, sweating, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, depression, irritability, fatigue or loss of appetite, and headaches. Do you drink to steady the nerves, stop the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and addiction. In severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can be life-threatening and involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. These symptoms can be dangerous and should be managed by a physician specifically trained and experienced in dealing with alcoholism and addiction.

Loss of Control

> Drinking more than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself that you wouldn’t do it this time.

Desire to Stop – But Can’t

> You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but all efforts to stop and stay stopped, have been unsuccessful.

Neglecting Other Activities

> You are spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, exercising- going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies or other interests) because of the use of alcohol.

Alcohol Takes Up Greater Time, Energy and Focus

> You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. You have few, if any, interests or social or community involvements that don’t revolve around the use of alcohol.

Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences

> You drink even though it’s causing problems. As an example, you realize that your alcohol use is interfering with your ability to do your job, is damaging your marriage, making your problems worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink.