Guidelines
taken from the American Council for Drug Education are as follows:[1]
It is important to keep in mind that if an individual shows any of the following
symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that he or she is using drugs. The presence
of some of these behaviors could be related to stress. Others may be symptoms
of depression or a host of other problems. Whatever the cause, they may warrant
attention, especially if they persist or if they occur in a cluster.
The
key is change; it is important to watch for any significant changes in your loved
one's appearance, personality, attitude or behavior.
For
additional information on alcohol/drug use contact a New Dawn Recovery professional
now or call 1-877-322-0229.
•
Physical Signs
of Substance Abuse
• Behavioral
Signs of Substance Abuse
• Drug
Specific Symptoms
• Relapse
Warning Signs
Physical Signs of Substance
Abuse:
| – | Loss
of appetite, increase in appetite, any changes in eating habits, unexplained weight
loss or gain. | | – | Slowed
or staggering walk; poor physical coordination. | | – | Inability
to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness. | | – | Red,
watery eyes; pupils larger or smaller than usual; blank stare. | | – | Cold,
sweaty palms; shaking hands. | | – | Puffy
face, blushing or paleness. | | – | Smell
of substance on breath, body or clothes. | | – | Extreme
hyperactivity; excessive talkativeness. | | – | Runny
nose; hacking cough. | | – | Needle
marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of feet. | | – | Nausea,
vomiting or excessive sweating. | | – | Tremors
or shakes of hands, feet or head. Irregular heartbeat. |
Behavioral
Signs of Substance Abuse:
| – | Change
in overall attitude/personality with no other identifiable cause. | | – | Changes
in friends; new hang-outs; sudden avoidance of old crowd; doesn't want to talk
about new friends; friends are known drug users. | | – | Change
in activities or hobbies. | | – | Drop
in grades at school or performance at work; skips school or is late for school
or work. | | – | Change
in habits at home; loss of interest in family and family activities. | | – | Difficulty
in paying attention; forgetfulness. | | – | General
lack of motivation, energy, self-esteem, "I don't care" attitude. | | – | Sudden
oversensitivity, temper tantrums, or resentful behavior. | | – | Moodiness,
irritability, or nervousness. | | – | Silliness
or giddiness. | | – | Paranoia
| | – | Excessive
need for privacy; unreachable. | | – | Secretive
or suspicious behavior. | | – | Car
accidents. | | – | Chronic
dishonesty. | | – | Unexplained
need for money, stealing money or items. | | – | Change
in personal grooming habits. | | – | Possession
of drug paraphernalia |
Drug Specific
Symptoms:
Alcohol:
Clumsiness; difficulty walking; slurred speech; sleepiness; poor judgment; dilated
pupils; possession of a false ID card (if underage).
Marijuana:
Glassy, red eyes; loud talking and inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness;
a sweet burnt scent; loss of interest, motivation; weight gain or loss.
Depressants:
(including barbiturates and tranquilizers) Seems drunk as if from alcohol but
without the associated odor of alcohol; difficulty concentrating; clumsiness;
poor judgment; slurred speech; sleepiness; and contracted pupils.
Stimulants:
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; dilated pupils; weight loss; dry mouth and nose.
Inhalants:
(Glues, aerosols, and 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; an unusual number of spray cans in the trash.
Hallucinogens:
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: Needle marks; sleeping
at unusual times; sweating; vomiting; coughing and sniffling; twitching; loss
of appetite; contracted pupils; no response of pupils to light.
Tobacco/Nicotine:
Smell of tobacco; stained fingers or teeth
Relapse
Warning Signs
Chemical
dependent individuals can demonstrate relapse behaviors at anytime throughout
their recovery process, but they are especially prone during the early stages
of recovery. The relapse process starts when an individual falls into old patterns
of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The following are signs of relapse at any
stage in recovery:
| – | Lack
of gratitude for recovery or what has been achieved in the recovery process | | – | Complacency
when things begin to improve - the chemically dependent person believes that they
no longer need to focus on their recovery effort; they are convinced they will
never use again. | | – | Lack
of self-care as they become exhausted, develop or return to irregular eating habits
or poor health habits in general | | – |
Self-pity - the chemically dependent person talks and acts as if no one has it
as bad as they do Increasing denial or return to denial - the chemically dependent
person starts rationalizing, justifying, minimizing or generalizing addictive
thinking and behavior. | | – | Blaming
others instead of taking personal responsibility for one's own thoughts, feelings
or behavior | | – | Unable
to accept feedback from other who are concerned Isolation and attempting to solve
problems on their own; not sharing what is going on with others in the support
group | | – | Wanting
too much too quickly or setting unrealistic goals | | – | Attempting
to control one's recovery through manipulation and blaming of others for their
problems | | – | Discounting
a recovery program - stopping 12-Step meetings, not utilizing a sponsor or unwilling
to allow others to help |
[1] American Council on
Drug Education (ACDE). http://www.acde.org/.
Retrieved 3/12/08
To confidentially inquire about New Dawn addiction
treatment programs, or to ask a treatment-related question, please e-mail us at
recovery@newdawnaddicioncare.com.
Your e-mail address will not be shared with third parties, nor will we add your
e-mail address to an electronic mailing list. |
