How to Recognize Drug Abuse

Recognizing when a friend or loved one is abusing drugs can be difficult. Talking to the person about their drug use can be even harder. No one wants a friend or loved one to have a drug problem, but ignoring the signs won't make the problem go away. There is no way to prove someone is abusing drugs without a drug test, but there are signs that you can look for to determine drug abuse.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Recognize drug abuse by looking for extreme personality changes. A previously well-mannered person may become hostile or violently angry with little provocation. An outgoing individual may become withdrawn and stop participating in activities they previously enjoyed.
2. Pay attention to the people your friend or loved one spends time with on a regular basis. People who abuse drugs often stop seeing people who don't do drugs and begin to associate only with people who are actively involved in drug use.
3. Listen to what the person talks about. A drug abuser may talk a lot about drugs. Sometimes they will talk about how dumb drug use is to make you believe they are not abusing drugs.
4. Notice a change in grades or problems at work. Drug abusers often skip school, stop doing homework or repeatedly lose one job after another due to performance or attendance issues.
5. Monitor your loved one's money or financial situation if possible. Unexplained lack of money, asking to borrow money or stealing are all signs the person may be abusing drugs.
6. Look for changes in the person's appearance. Deterioration in personal hygiene is often seen in drug abusers, also look for bloodshot eyes or drug affected pupils.
7. Recognize that legal problems are a real sign of drug abuse. Drug abusers may have multiple DUI's or arrests for stealing or disorderly conduct. Don't excuse this behavior or minimize the importance of this sign.
8. Understand that drug abuse and addiction can be physical, psychological or both. Drugs control the addict. The drug addict does not control the drugs.
9. Find a local support group. Dealing with a friend or loved one who abuses drugs can be crippling to a family, friendship or marriage. It is not something you should attempt to deal with on your own.

Tips & Warnings

• Trust your instincts. You know the person and if your gut tells you there is a problem, it is important to seek help in dealing with the drug abuser. An outside source can be much more effective in seeing the problem clearly and finding solutions than close friends or family members.
• Drug abusers may wear long sleeves in hot weather or have on sun glasses inside to hide evidence of drug use.
• A support group won't make the user quit using, but it can give you the tools you need to make it one day at a time.
• Don't blame yourself. Drug abuse is a personal choice. Drug users often blame others, but the responsibility for drug abuse lies solely with the user.