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What are signs of substance use?
Signs that a person may be using substances such as drugs or alcohol include:
- Behavior changes, such as:
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits, such as trouble sleeping or eating more or less than usual.
- Paying less attention to dressing and grooming.
- Up-and-down moods, a mood or attitude that's getting worse, or not caring about the future.
- Sneaky behavior, lying, or stealing.
- Poor family relationships, or relationships that are getting worse.
- New problems at work or school, or problems with the law.
- Physical changes, such as:
- Red eyes, a sore throat, a dry cough, and feeling tired.
- Needle marks on the arm or other area of the body.
- Small "pinpoint" pupils in the eyes.
- Losing weight without trying.
Most of these changes are not specific to substance use. They may be signs of another problem, such as depression, stress, or another medical condition.
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