Drug Abuse Symptoms

Drug abuse is a widely circulated problem, which affects people from social as well as economical levels. The drug abuse symptoms are differentiated according to the drug that is being taken. It causes many health related and social problems. Some of the following signs or symptoms occur when a person is addicted to drug.

Here is a List of Drug Abuse Symptoms:

Family Drug Abuse Symptoms

Exhibiting negative attitude toward rules and parents
Isolation from family members (hiding in locking bedroom door, room, and avoiding family activities)
Failing to follow through on promises
Becoming manipulative
Sneaking out of the house
Lying

Social Drug Abuse Symptoms

Suddenly popular with friends who are older and unknown to family
Changing several friends or changing peer groups
Becoming involved with peers when formerly isolated from peers
Social activities occurring more often, sometimes at odd hours
More frequent phone calls
Thrill seeking behaviors - evidenced by law breaking, promiscuity, and other dangerous physical situations

Emotional Drug Abuse Symptoms

Talking about or attempting suicide
Impaired judgment (putting self in dangerous situations)
Violent or threatening (verbally or physically)
Operating at an inappropriate maturity level
Mood swings
Lethargic or apathetic
Burned Out

School Drug Abuse Symptoms

Sleeping in class
Suspended or Expelled
Lacking motivation and lower grades
Skipping class or school
Becoming disrespectful of teachers, administrators, and rules
Dropping out of school activities
Frequently being disciplined

Legal Drug Abuse Symptoms

Unruly behaviors like skipping school and not following family rules
Shoplifting or stealing from family members
Incidents or charges for public intoxication, DUI, vandalism, breaking and entering, underage alcohol/tobacco use
Selling drugs
Involved in car accidents or near misses

Physical Drug Abuse Symptoms

Frequent minor illnesses (headaches, slight tremors, nausea, flu-like symptoms, sluggishness, vomiting)
Smelling of alcohol, marijuana, or stale smoke
Neglects taking prescribed medications or takes more medications than usual
More frequent complaints of pain or illness
Weight changes or unusual eating patterns (types of foods, time of day, amounts)
Memory lapses
Frequent use of eye drops for bloodshot eyes
Injuries occurring more often
Change in normal sleep patterns (more or less than usual, frequent naps)
Frequent infections or infections which don't heal

Other Drug Abuse Symptoms

Spending large sums of money and asking for money
Poor management of money
Having drug paraphernalia in bedroom or school locker
Wearing drug oriented clothing and accessories
Reading drug oriented magazines
Using drug slang, talking about drugs