Possible Signs of Drug Abuse

Possible Signs of Drug Use

It is important to emphasize the word “possible” because of other factors that may resemble signs of drug use. It is particularly useful to be able to identify patterns of problem behavior, which emerge over a period of time.

General Appearance

Lack of hygiene appearance, grooming, sense of well-being, or healthy facial glow. A person may look as if she/he had been staying up all night. Observe level of anxiety or passiveness, response to questions, and eye contact when engaged in conversation.

Face: Presence of puffiness, flushed appearance, broken capillaries around checks and nose, unhealthy skin color.

Eye: Dilated pupil or very small pupils, red eyes, roving eye movements, visual complaints, light sensitivity, unusual tearing.

Nose: Rhinitis, runny nose, frequent sniffing (excuse may be allergy problems); frequent nosebleeds, puffy and red nose.

Skin: Excessive sweating, track marks, bruises, abscesses on legs and arms, excessive scratching and itching.

Nails: Gray, blue, ashen color

Movement: Trembling hands, uncoordinated movements.

Small dots of blood from injections may be observed on clothes, or there may be unfamiliar or distinctive odors in the home. In addition, the individual may have a strong or old odor of alcohol on the breath or clothes.

To obtain more details on the different signs of different drugs, download our free e-book called The Thorn Tree. (8.9MB)