Drug use is a destructive, life-threatening habit that affects the emotional and physical well-being of the user. Perhaps you worry that your child uses drugs and are concerned you won’t know how to detect drug use. Or maybe you think your spouse or significant other might be involved in drug use. Even at work, you might suspect an employee or coworker is using drugs. Regardless of whom the person is and what his or her relationship is to you, it’s important to understand how to detect drug use so you can get help for your child, loved one or business associate.
Method 1 of 4: Watch for Physical Signs of Drug Use
1Look for unusual pupil dilation of the eyes which could denote use of just about any substance including alcohol, marijuana, or amphetamines.Ad
2Pay attention to changes in how the person’s breath, hair and clothing smell to help you detect alcohol use or drugs inhaled via smoking (marijuana, crack, meth or heroin).
3Watch for needle (track) marks on the person’s inner arms or bruising that could denote injecting of drugs like heroin, cocaine or meth.
4Note any sinus changes such as unusual or excessive sniffles, nostril redness or more frequent nosebleeds. These changes could indicate the use of drugs that are snorted such as cocaine, meth or even ecstasy (when crushed).
5Check for the presence of items in the person’s dresser or desk drawers or in pockets such as eye drops, packages of gum, mouthwash, small plastic containers or baggies, cigarette rolling papers, cotton swabs, roach clips, incense or room deodorizers. While some of these are common personal hygiene items, excessive or new use of the items could indicate drug use.
Method 2 of 4: Notice Changes in Emotion or Behavior
1Watch for changes in attention span, memory, enthusiasm, motivation or concentration.
2Note drastic changes in sleep and activity patterns such as insomnia or unusual sleepiness or napping. Does the person seem unusually lethargic and tired on one extreme or more energetic, giddy or wired than usual?
3Notice changes in the person’s values, beliefs or self-discipline, like hanging out with new friends that she/he won’t introduce to you? Has the person started doing things he/she never did before – taking more risks, taking less care with her appearance, eating excessively or not at all, lying, stealing or skipping school?
4Pay attention to interactions with friends, family and co-workers. (Has he become more reclusive, avoiding family and friends in social settings or at home? Is she more irritable with others than usual, acting out in a hostile or overly-sensitive manner?)
Method 3 of 4: Pay Attention to Suspicious Computer or Phone Use
Method 4 of 4: Use Tests to Verify or Rule Out Drug Use
1Buy a drug detection test when all signs point to drug use, or if you just can’t tell but need your suspicions satisfied. These are readily available at drug stores and online.
2Administer the test without prior warning for the most accurate results. Giving the person you are testing too much warning beforehand could allow him or her time to alter the test by staying clean for a number of hours or even securing clean urine to substitute for their own.
3Notify the person of the drug test results to arrange any necessary follow-up testing, drug treatment, counseling or even job termination.Ad
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- If your loved one starts showing signs of excessive drug use but you’ve ruled out the use of illegal drugs, consider misuse of prescription drugs. Monitor the person’s use of these medications as prescription drugs can be just as hazardous as illegal drugs if used improperly or excessively.
- Proceed with caution when discussing drug use, being careful not to accuse or judge the person you suspect of drug use. You don’t want to alienate the person or cause him or her to withdraw from you.
- Beginning in early childhood teach aspects of "Common Sense" in most every activity; which is easily made fun by making games. Common Sense = Self-esteem + Logic + Predicting Consequences. Teaching Common Sense = Debate (not discussion; expressing logical relationships to support a position builds self-esteem) + Critical Thinking (many online lesson plans and resources; learning the logic of language, identifying faulty logic in pretty expressions and becoming able to logically think) + Analyzing ANY Issue of Sustainability (ANY subjects; builds the ability to control the support systems associated with desired outcome(s). An older child with Common Sense is more prepared to protect themselves from self-destructive activities, and they are more able to have a pathway of achieving future desires.
Categories: Drug Addictions
Recent edits by: Gloster flyer, Genius_knight, Tiagoroth
In other languages:
Deutsch: Wie man Drogenkonsum bei anderen erkennen kann, Italiano: Come Rilevare l’Uso di Droghe, Português: Como Detectar o Uso de Drogas, Русский: определить наркомана, Español: Cómo saber si alguien consume drogas
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