How to Spot Drug Abuse

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methods

1Watching for Behavioral Signs

2Catching Physical and Environmental Cues

3Noticing Social Changes

4Taking Positive Action

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Suspecting a loved one of drug abuse may bring up many feelings, such as guilt or distress about your suspicions or desperation for answers. Spotting addiction requires close and careful observation of the person in question. You can figure out if your friend or family member is abusing drugs by watching for behavioral changes, physical/environmental cues, and social changes. Then, try to convince your loved one to get the help they need.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Watching for Behavioral Signs

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   Keep an eye out for problems at work or school. Typically, the first sign of a problem is a drastic drop in attendance or engagement at school or work. Maybe you learn that your teen has been skipping school. Or, you are asked to repeatedly lie to your roommate’s boss about their “family emergency.” Sudden changes in their functioning suggest that something else, possibly drugs, has become a priority for the person.
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   Track legal and financial troubles. If your loved one has recently gotten into trouble with the law or other authority figures, take note—especially if this is out of character for the person. Also, pay attention to your loved one seemingly needing more money than usual. You might have to lend them money often or hear of others doing so.

   • Family members may have to bail abusers out of jail or get them out of trouble in other ways.
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   Count the lies and inconsistencies. Drug addiction and lying are like two peas in a pod. A person who is abusing drugs frantically tries to cover their tracks, but you’ll often notice gaps in their stories or excuses. For instance, maybe you believed your husband when he told you he’s been working late, except you bumped into his coworker who contradicted his story.

   • If you catch someone lying, gently address it with the other person. Do not accuse them or yell at them. Instead, you might say something, "Oh, that's interesting. Your coworker said you left early."
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   Be wary of sudden changes in behavior. A hot, then cold demeanor may be common in a person who is abusing drugs. You might notice your loved one suddenly becoming secretive and locking their bedroom door. They may stay out late. Or, you might catch them hiding things or acting suspiciously.

   • Other changes common to drug abuse include nervous behavior, excessive irritability or exhaustion, going to bed at strange times, and suddenly sleeping and eating too much or too little.
   • In addition, your loved one may have trouble remembering things, seem paranoid or distrustful, speak differently (slurring), or act aggressively.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Catching Physical and Environmental Cues

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   Watch for neglect in appearance. People who abuse drugs may show signs of poor hygiene. The person may have a disheveled appearance: their hair is messy, they need to shower, and they wear the same outfit again and again.
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   Look for physical signs. You might also notice physical signs that your loved one is currently or recently intoxicated. Different types of drugs can have specific types of physical reactions.

   • Marijuana may cause red eyes, dry mouth, and increased appetite.
   • Barbiturates or benzodiazepines can cause clumsiness, disorientation, slurred speech, and slow physical reactions.
   • Abuse of stimulates, like meth or cocaine, can manifest through rapid speech, excitability, and irritability.
   • If your loved one is abusing intravenous drugs, they may have track marks or red bruises on their arms.
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   Notice uncommon use of breath mints, gum, or cologne. The flip side of a neglected appearance involves your loved one seemingly covering up any obvious signs of drug use. They may frequently use eye drops, smell strongly of cologne or perfume, or constantly use mints or chew gum.
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   Be aware of missing items around the home. If your loved one is trying to sustain a drug habit, they will likely need more money than usual. If they fail to borrow from friends or family, they may start to steal. Keep track of valuable items or cash that seem to disappear around your household or in the homes of others close to the person.
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   Spot their nifty hiding places. If your loved one lives in your home, you may be able to find hidden drug paraphernalia. Use your imagination to explore their room or other common living spaces. Look under beds and couches, in desk and clothing drawers, in between the pages of books, in CD and DVD cases, and under loose floor boards.

   • Not-so-obvious places might be empty containers, such as over-the-counter pill bottles or candy and snack containers.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Noticing Social Changes

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   Check if the person is frequently missing from important events. Your loved one’s social calendar may have been cleared of all events not relating to their drug habit. They may fail to show up for significant family, work, or school events again and again.

   • You may have to speak to others to notice repeated absences. Check with your loved one’s friends, coworkers, or school to be sure.
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   2
   Notice signs of social withdrawal. The worldview of a person abusing drugs closes dramatically. For instance, a typically outgoing, friendly teen may suddenly spend most of their time alone. If you notice your loved one withdrawing from friends or loved ones with no explanation, you may need to watch them more closely.
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   Watch for new friends and/or hangout spots. If your friend or family member is abusing drugs, you might find that they have an entirely new social circle. They no longer have time for positive friends and activities. Instead, they may be spending more time with shady figures and hanging out in questionable areas where drugs are frequently sold or used.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Taking Positive Action

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   Talk to the person. If you suspect your loved one is abusing drugs, speak to them about it. Do so in a non-confrontational manner. You don't want to scare them away or make them defensive. The best approach is to simply explain your suspicions and tell them you are concerned.

   • You might say, "Justin, I found a bag of pills in your pocket when I was doing laundry. I've also noticed a few changes in you lately and I'm worried you're using drugs. Can you tell me what's going on?"
   • Be supportive as you talk to them. Blaming or accusing them will not encourage them to get help.
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   Ask them to get help. Once your loved one admits to using drugs, you might simply request that they get help. You might say, "I will help you look up some treatment programs to help you get better" or something similar. If the person is unwilling to get help or denies that they have a problem, you may have to convince them through intervention.
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   Speak with their closest friends and family. If your loved one is abusing drugs but doesn't want treatment, you need to try to convince them to get help. One way to do this is by planning an intervention, which involves close friends and family talking to the person together.

   • Reach out to others who care about this person. You might say, “I’ve noticed a lot of alarming signs with Jacob lately. I think he might be using drugs. Will you join me in talking to him?”
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   Consult with a professional. The best interventions are facilitated by a mental health or substance abuse professional. This person can guide you in preparing for an intervention. It may help to have this person present during the meeting to maintain perspective and offer their expertise.

   • Contact local substance abuse treatment centers or mental health agencies to find someone in your area who facilitate interventions.
5. 
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   Research treatment options. Before you talk to your loved one, it can help to educate yourself about the ways of treating different forms of drug abuse. The type of treatment your loved one needs will depend on how severely their drug use has affected their life and functioning. Some people may be able to recover from drug abuse through outpatient treatment, while others may require more intensive inpatient treatment.

   • Research some treatment programs in your area. If you are working with a facilitator, they can probably supply your with resources. Go over the treatment options with other key people to decide on possible courses of action. Gather the information (e.g. brochures and contact numbers) and prepare to present it during the intervention meeting.
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   Share your concerns with the person. The purpose of an intervention is to relay your concerns to a loved one who is abusing drugs. Each friend or family member will take turns expressing their love for the person and pleading with them to get help. You might also share ways the person’s drug abuse has negatively impacted you.

   • For instance, you might say, “Jacob, you know that I love and care about you deeply. But, I’m worried. I’ve watched you spiral over the last few weeks and I see how your drug use is causing problems at school and in your relationships. I’d feel so much better if you got treatment.”
7. 7
   Call for help if you are concerned about an overdose. If you think that your loved one has overdosed, call 911 or emergency medical services immediately. Signs of an overdose include difficulty breathing, seizures, headaches, chest pain, extreme agitation, anxiety, delirium, or going in and out of consciousness.
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   Provide an ultimatum, and enforce it. Typically, loved ones present possible treatment options to the person and let them know that they expect them to get help. You might communicate consequences if the person refuses. If you set consequences, be sure that you are willing to enforce them, if needed.

   • For example, you might set the consequence that your brother will be cut off from his inheritance unless he gets help for drug abuse.
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