Warning Signs
Teenagers, who turn moody, spend a lot of time in their rooms and lose interest in hobbies or sports are acting typical, right? True, but that kind of behavior also can be a sign that your child is using alcohol or other drugs. Some things may throw you off guard because they are normal for adolescents who are developing their own identity and asserting independence from their parents. However, changes which are extreme or last for more than a few days are danger signs. Here are some behaviors to watch for:
- Evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia, such as pipes, rolling papers, eye drops, butane lighters
- Increased borrowing of money from parents or friends
- Stealing
- Abrupt changes in mood or attitude
- Withdrawal, isolation, depression, fatigue
- Sudden decline in attendance or performance at school or work
- Sudden resistance to discipline at home or school
- Unusual flare-ups of temper
- Loss of interest in hobbies and/or sports
- Change in eating or sleeping habits
- Associating with a new group of friends who use drugs
- Heightened secrecy about actions or possessions
Source: The Department of Health and Human Services
How To Recognize someone Under the Influence
How do you recognize someone under the influence of marijuana
- Marked red cast to the whites of the eyes caused by dilation of the tiny capillary blood vessels
- Pupils will be dilated and both will not track a moving object in perfect unison
- Slight muscular tremor in the eye lids, fingers, stomach muscles, and even the legs
- Silver coated tongue
- Mental disorientation with markedly slow internal body clock perception
- Paranoia and anxiety psychosis at high doses or with some new users
How do you recognize someone under the influence of a depressant drug?
- A drunken alcohol-like impaired appearance with poor muscle control and impaired balance
- Disorientation as to place and time and impaired memory with periods of blackouts
- Drooped eye lids, involuntary jerking of the eyes and slowed pupil response to light
- Higher doses lead to medical emergencies resulting from low pulse rate, low blood pressure and depressed respiration, with stupor developing and leading to coma and death
- All but the minor tranquilizers produce both physical and psychological addiction
How do you recognize someone under the influence of a narcotic drug?
- Severely pin-pointed pupils which do not react to light changes
- Flaccid muscle tone
- Face and arm itching
- Sedated "on the nod" condition
- Dreamy walk and dreamy talk
- Nose drip or nasal injury if snorted by new user
How do you recognize someone under the influence of a stimulant drug?
- Grossly dilated pupils with just a rim of colored iris
- Tremors in the hands and a general hyper-activity or "wired" stimulated condition
- Flushed skin one, sweating, dry mouth
- High blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature
- Long term addicts will display malnutrition, paranoia, aggression and depression
Source: Bruce R. Talbot
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