Drugskilled
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SIGNS OF DRUG USE
From my personal experiencce seeing my two sisters on drugs, I can tell you that it is very hard when your living in the moment to realize somebody is on drugs, especially when you consider we where all teenagers. Large mood swings, odd friends and going out all night can be indicative of problems or just part of growing up. Looking back, I can remember some events that where sure signs. I remember both my sisters where heavily into incense, their room would reek of it, it smelled horrible and they would spend hours in seclusion inside. How they breathed or could stand the smell is beyond me but if you are smoking or doing drugs, its the perfect cover to hide the smell.
I guess another sign was the people they hung around with, some where not bad but rarely would they be introduced to my parents. I always thought it was just polite to introduce your friends to your parents but they didn't do that very often. Some of who we did meet looked like they just crawled from under a rock, I would say one things that was consistent was the habbit of smoking cigarettes among all of them we didn't approve too much of. Both my sisters also had a liking for alcohol, I don't know where that came from since I rarely drink nor have any desire for alcohol consumption.
Here is a list of potential signs of drug use
Educational
For me, one sister seemed to excell in school, she even skipped two grades while the other struggled just to finish high school. I guess one thing in common is neither had any desire to continue studying after high school.
- Skipping Class or school
- Showing up late to school or class
- No interest in school with associated poor performance
- Teacher or principal knowing your kid a little too much
- Dropping out of school
Social & Phychological
I am a few years older then my sisters so we where in different social circles but I would say for one of my sisters, mood swings where extreme and unpredictable to say the least. One of my sisters was also constantly on the phone until very late at night and I actually had to keep my money in a safe in my own bedroom as I kept having things missing. I would say that both my sisters seemed detached from live through their teenage years, whether this was due to drug use or what lead them into it I don't know.
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Social
- Changes in personality and behavior
- Changes in friends
- Unknown friends
- Changes in hangouts
- Always going nowhere special
- Secretive phone conversation
- Callers who refuse to identify themselves
- Hang-up phone calls
- Overt hostility and outbursts
- Constant lying
- Stealing of small items
- Disappearance of clothing and money
- Constant money manipulation
- Unexplained appearance or disappearance of money
- Wanting to buy/rent pager/mobile phone
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Phychological
- Depression or overactive
- Talkativeness
- Loss of appetite or increased
- Mood swings
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Unpredictable behavior
- Lack of motivation and drive
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Physical
Although physical symptoms of drug use may seem the most evident, I saw none of them, even when I knew they where on "something".
- Loss of physical coordination
- Dreamy-blank expression
- Slurred speech
- Changes in physical appearance
- Eye changes
- Loss of memory
- Trembling
What do do if you suspect drug use?
Go to our links page and contact the appropriate organization and speak to one of their counsilors. They can tell you how to proceed in the best manner based on the circumstances you find yourself within.
