Indicators or signs of use
It is usually difficult to tell if (young) people are using drugs, whether for the first time or occasionally. Many of the 'signs' and 'symptoms' are just like the everyday signs of adolescence and growing up.
The following summarises the later content of this page. It offers some guidance to the possible changes to a person which may indicate drug use but conclusions should not readily be drawn without observation, knowledge of the young person and evidence! Also, in some instances of substance use, there may be no visible signs and symptoms.
Finally, it is important to remember that trying to spot signs and symptoms of substance use is no substitute for good communication.
Cannabis
Enlarged pupils, red eyes, excitability, laughter, talkativeness, lethargy, apathy, short term memory loss, increased appetite for food (‘munchies’), smelly breath or clothing.
Finding shredded cigarettes, cigarette papers, small plastic pouches, rolled up pieces of cardboard, homemade pipes (bongs), often made from bottles, straws, cans, small burn marks on clothing.
Solvents
Seeming drunk, dreamy or blank appearance, violence, sore throat, sore front teeth, spots around mouth
Finding gas containers, aerosols, plastic bags, smelly clothing.
Ecstasy
Increased energy, excitability, rapid speech, involuntary jaw movement or chewing, tactile and affectionate behaviour, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, weight loss
Following use – fatigue, depression or moodiness, sometimes for days later.
Amphetamines
Increased energy, rapid speech, intensity in behaviour, confused thinking, restlessness, loss of appetite, weight loss, paranoia, dilated pupils
Following use – extreme fatigue, depression, moodiness, paranoia
Finding paper folded to form a small envelope packet, unidentified tablets or capsules, traces of white or pink powder, rolled up bank notes .
Cocaine/crack
Hyperactivity, increased confidence, talkativeness, excitability, irritability, anxiety, confusion, depression, paranoia, sleeplessness, dilated pupils, sniffing, loss of appetite, weight loss, mood swings
Following use – extreme fatigue, depression, moodiness, paranoia
Finding paper folded to form a small envelope packet, rolled up bank notes, traces of white powder, homemade pipes (bongs) often made from cans or plastic bottles.
LSD or magic mushrooms
Excitable, laughter, crying, unusual and strange behaviour, belief of great powers, hallucinations, irritability.
Heroin
Pin prick pupils, stupor, drowsiness, loss of appetite, needle track marks, ‘gouching out’, vomiting
Finding spoons, foil, syringes, needles, tourniquets, filters, citric acid (vitamin C), traces of brown powder.
Benzodiazepines
Drowsiness, dullness, slurred speech, drunk appearance.
Drug use may also be indicated by:
Loss of interest in usual activities
Sudden change of personality
Deterioration in work or school performance
Change in social relationships
Involvement in crime
Inexplicable need for money
In more depth
Taken from flipchart notes made by participants on training courses. Some of these suggestions should be taken with a pinch of salt. Many of the individual indicators could, for example, just as easily refer to the "average" teenager, or to someone experiencing mental health problems. If taken together, i.e. Individual indicators + Paraphernalia, it is more likely that there could be drug use present.
Be aware of the limitations of these lists.
Individual behavioural indicators
Individual emotional indicators
Individual physical indicators
Paraphernalia/ Equipment - what to look out for
Indicators of drug dealing/drug dealers
Individual behavioural indicators
- Aggressive body language.
- Argumentative.
- Babbling.
- Changes in friendship circles.
- Changes in hobbies or interest.
- Changes in sex drive.
- Constant chatter, talking rubbish.
- Disrupted eating patterns.
- Fidgeting.
- Forgetfulness.
- Giggling.
- Hyperactivity.
- Irrational behaviour.
- Little / no appetite.
- Munchies.
- Neglect of dependents, including pets.
- New peer group.
- Out of character behaviour.
- Poor coordination.
- Rebellion.
- Secretive, furtive behaviour.
- Slurred speech.
- Spaced out/unaware.
- Staying in bed.
- Stealing.
- Truancy.
- Unexplained absences.
- Verbal diarrhoea.
- Withdrawal from usual social setting.
Individual emotional indicators
- Agitation.
- Anxiety.
- Argumentative.
- Depression.
- Hallucinations.
- Happier.
- Inappropriate self esteem.
- Increase in confidence.
- Lack of concentration.
- Loss of 'spark, 'light'.
- Low/no self esteem.
- Mood swings.
- Neglect.
- Paranoia.
- Suicidal thoughts.
Individual physical indicators
- Acne.
- Appetite changes.
- Bruises.
- Changed energy levels.
- Clumsy - staggering walk.
- Constipation.
- Cramps.
- Dehydration.
- DTs.
- Eyes, glazed, red.
- Fidgeting.
- Hygiene, lack of
- Inappropriate energy levels.
- Lack of hygiene.
- Manipulated money.
- Poor dental hygiene.
- Poor skin condition, spots, sores, rashes.
- Pupils - big pupils (dilated pupils).
- Pupils - pinned pupils (contracted pupils).
- Raised temperature.
- Rapid or slowed pulse.
- Runs.
- Smell.
- Sniffling.
- Sores /rashes.
- Sweating.
- Three pairs of trousers -used to disguise appearance when shoplifting etc.
- Track marks.
- Tremors.
- Unkempt.
- Vomiting and sickness.
- Weight loss.
Paraphernalia / Equipment - what to look out for
- Acetone (nail varnish remover).
- Aerosols.
- Bent over coke tins.
- Biros with no ink insert.
- Bongs/pipes.
- Bottles (top part cut off).
- Burnt foil.
- Car aerials found away from car.
- Cardboard tubes.
- Cigarette buts / paper / tobacco.
- Cigs without tobacco.
- Citric acid, lemon juice.
- Cling film / torn magazine paper.
- Drugs.
- Filters.
- Kinder eggs.
- Lighters/matches.
- Mirrors/glass.
- New money or no money.
- Plastic bags.
- Powder/tablets.
- Razor blades.
- Rizla papers/packs, torn Rizla packet.
- Roaches.
- Rolled up banknotes.
- Scales.
- Stolen property.
- Syringes/needles.
- tin foil.
- Torn magazines.
- Towels used to filter aerosols and solvents.
- Tourniquets.
- Wraps.
Indicators of drug dealing/drug dealers
- Abstinence.
- Change of addresses.
- Change of lifestyle.
- Criminal activities involving credit cards and credit.
- Don't stay in the same place too long.
- Flushing of toilet when doorbell rang!.
- Hanging near toilets in pubs and clubs.
- Have more money than you would expect.
- Increase of money.
- Money but no work.
- Regular moves and changed phone numbers.
- Run down homes.
- Scales.
- Several pay as you go mobile phones.
- Someone older socialising with younger people.
- Unusual number of visitors, unusual times of day or night.
- Use of protection, e.g. large dogs.