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Signs and
Symptoms of Drug
Use
There are many
signs, both physical and behavioral, that indicate
drug use. Each drug has it's own unique
manifestations but there are some general
indications that a person is using drugs.
- Sudden change in
behavior
- Mood
swings-irritable and grumpy and then suddenly
happy and bright
- Withdrawal from
family members
- Careless about
personal grooming.
- Loss of interest in
hobbies, sports, and other favorite activities.
- Changed sleeping
pattern; up at night and sleeps during the day.
- Red or glassy eyes
- Sniffly or runny
nose
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The
following are some of the signs and symptoms of specific
drug use:
Methamphetamines: "Wired,"
sleeplessness for days and weeks at a time, total loss
of appetite, extreme weight loss, dialated pupils,
excited, talkative, deluded sense of power, paranoia,
depression, loss of control, nervousness, unusual
sweating, shaking, anxiety, hallucinations, aggression,
violence, dizziness, mood changes, blurred vision,
mental confusion, agitation.
Cocaine: Impaired thinking,
confused, anxious, depressed, short tempered, panic
attacks, suspiciousness, dilated pupils, sleeplessness,
loss of appetite, decreased sexual drive, restlessness,
irritability, very talkative, scratching,
hallucinations, paranoia.
LSD (Acid): Dilated pupils,
skin discoloration, loss of coordination, false sense of
power, euphoria, distortion of time and space,
hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, nausea, vomiting,
loss of control, anxiety, panic, helplessness, and self
destructive behavior.
PCP: Sometimes violent or
bizarre behavior, suicide has often occurred, paranoia,
fearfulness, anxiety, aggressive or withdrawn, skin
flushing, sweating, dizziness, total numbness, and
impaired perceptions.
Inhalants: Short-lasting
euphoria, giggling, silliness, dizziness. Then come the
headaches and full-blown "faintings" or going
unconscious. Longterm Use: Short-term memory loss,
emotional instability, impairment of reasoning, slurred
speech, clumsy staggering gait, eye flutter, tremors,
hearing loss, loss of sense of smell, and escalating
stages of brain atrophy. Sometimes these serious
longterm effects are reversible with body detoxification
and nutritional therapy; sometimes the brain damage is
irreversible or only partially reversible.
Heroin:
Chemically enforced euphoria. "Nodding," which is a
dreamlike state, near sleep, drifting off for minutes or
hours. For long time abusers heroin may act like a
stimulant and they can do a normal daily routine;
however, for others, it leaves them completely powerless
to do anything.
Marijuana: Compulsive eating,
bloodshot red eyes that are squinty (they may have
trouble keeping them open), dry mouth, excessive and
uncontrollable laughter, forgetfulness, short term
memory loss, extreme lethargy, delayed motor skills,
occasional paranoia, hallucinations, laziness, lack of
motivation, stupidity, sickly sweet smell on body, hair,
and clothes, and strong mood changes and behaviors when
the person is "high".
Depressants (Tranquilizers
and Barbituates): Decreased inhibition, slowed motor
coordination, lethargy, relaxed muscles, staggering
gait, poor judgement, slow, uncertain reflexes,
disorientation, and slurred speech.
For additional assistance in making a
determination, contact a Narconon® counselor who can
help
you. |
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