Behavioral Patterns of Drug Abusers
Drug abuse not only adversely affects the individual who "does" drugs, it also seriously affects their family, their friends, and their workplace or school.
The following "known-indicators" are the more common - and easily observable by you - signs and symptoms of drug-use by an individual. If you already know a family member, a friend, a coworker or schoolmate is using drugs, they need help. If you care about them, then talk to them. If you are not sure they are "using", then your personal and direct observation of a number (it's usually more than just "one") of these symptoms may help give you the confidence to approach them and talk with them about the help they need
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The major categories of drug use/abuse indicators are:
- PERFORMANCE indicators
- BEHAVIORAL indicators
- PHYSICAL Indicators
- PARAPHERNALIA indicators
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But first, always keep this in mind: while the following in combination represent "known-indicators" of drug-abuse, they certainly do not "prove" abuse of drugs. For example, a few of these indicators can be attributed to a newly acquired emotional stress (death in the family, job loss, a divorce, etc.).
On the other hand, in combination, these symptoms could well be drug-abuse related....that's especially if you observe the "sudden" appearance of a combination of these indicators in an individual you personally know very well. This sudden appearance of these "indicators" may represent "new" behavior for them, and the possibility is strong that those sudden changes are a result of newly begun drug-use.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD ANYONE ON THE JOB BE ACCUSED OF DRUG ABUSE UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE ACT OR HAVE BEEN DISCIPLINED BY A TRAINED SUPERVISOR.
Supervisor training is available from HireSafe is highly recommended. Click here for more information
Performance Indicators that are often (but not always) specific to drug-abuse:
- sudden change in attitude, work, or behavior- a new, “I don’t care” attitude
- sudden deterioration of long friendships, relationships
- "explosive" arguments and disagreements over small matters
- frequent hangover symptoms
- using drug culture jargon
- secretive behavior
- avoiding “straight” (non drug-users) coworkers or classmates
- erratic behavior-forgetfulness-indecision
- deterioration in personal appearance and hygiene
- hyperactivity, constant toe or heel-tapping and/or "drumming" of fingers
- easy excitability restlessness, increased physical activity
- wearing of long-sleeved garments in very warm weather
- new financial problems or frequent borrowing of money
Behavorial Indicators that are often (but not always) specific to drug-abuse:
- change in attitude, work, or behavior- a new, “I don’t care” attitude
- deterioration of long friendships, relationships
- explosive" arguments and disagreements over small matters
- hangover symptoms
- drug culture jargon
- behavior
- “straight” (non drug-users) coworkers or classmates
- behavior-forgetfulness-indecision
- in personal appearance and hygiene
- constant toe or heel-tapping and/or "drumming" of fingers
- excitability restlessness, increased physical activity
- of long-sleeved garments in very warm weather
- financial problems or frequent borrowing of money
Physical Indicators that are often (but not always) specific to drug-abuse:
- small blood spots or bruises on the skin
- bloodshot or watery eyes
- runny or irritated nose, irritating cough, sore throat
- speech pattern changes, slurred speech, faster speech, slower speech
- tremors or jitters
- constant scratching of skin, "picking" at skin and hair on arms, etc.
- poor coordination, tripping, spilling, bumping into things and other people
- large or small (dilated) pupils
- a faint skin odor- either sweet or acrid
- easily fatigued or constantly fatigued
- hyper-excitability
Paraphernalia indicators that are often (and almost always) specific to drug-abuse:
Possession of hypodermic needles, balloons, aluminum foil wrappers, mirrors or flat metal, short straws, glass pipes, smoking pipes, capsules, vials, or folded paper envelopes, a cigarette lighter (or small butane torch) when carried by a known "nonsmoker The possession of drugs is a definite "tip-off" of drug-abuse!
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