Signs and symptoms of drug abuse

Signs of drug abuse

There are many symptoms, both physical and behavioral, that can indicate drug or chemical substance abuse. Each drug has its own manifestations regarding the person’s state of health and the amount taken, but there are some common features of how the drug affects the body and behavior:

  • A sudden change of behavior,
  • Mood swings (a person can be irritable and moody and then suddenly become happy and kind),
  • Negligent appearance,
  • Loss of interest in hobbies and sports,
  • Changes of sleeping habits,
  • Detachment from family members and friends,
  • Glassy or red eyes,
  • Runny nose.
Signs of drug addiction

Here are the symptoms associated with frequent use of a particular type of a drug:

Methamphetamine:

Insomnia for a few days or weeks, dilated pupils, complete loss of appetite, extreme weight loss, talkativeness, agitation, depression, paranoia, anxiety, exaggerated feeling of power, loss of self-control, sweating, tremor, mood swings, etc.

Cocaine:

Depression, confusion, bad temper, anxiousness, panic attacks, insomnia, hallucinations, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, itching.

Ecstasy:

Psychological and physiological changes, altered perception of touch, hearing, taste and sight, stimulation of energy, loss of appetite, high temperature, cramps, nausea, sweating.

LSD:

Pale skin, poor coordination, dilated pupils, time and space distortion, euphoria, hallucinations, nausea, anxiety, vomiting, panic, paranoia, strange behavior.

Marijuana:

Hunger, red eyes, thirst, laughter, possible short-term memory loss, bad coordination of movements, paranoia, drowsiness, poor motivation, hallucinations, sweet odor on body, hair and clothes, mood swings, stupidity.

Inhalants:

Short-term euphoria and laughter, headaches, loss of consciousness and memory, tremors, blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of senses (taste, hearing), brain defects.

PCP:

Strange behavior, violence, suicidal thoughts, fear, anger, paranoia, red skin, loss of senses of perception, sweating, detachment.

Heroin:

Euphoria, drowsiness, powerlessness, poor breathing, narrowed pupils.

Depressants:

Poor coordination of movements, drowsiness, relaxation, slow reflexes, slurred speech, poor judgment.