According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in 2012 overall drug abuse among young persons ages 12-19 was rising; this was largely due to an increase in marijuana use. Prescription drug abuse has also risen, primarily in the 18-25 year old population. After marijuana and hashish the most abused drugs by high school seniors are synthetic marijuana, Adderall and Vicodin.
People of all races, ages, educational levels and economic statuses use drugs. So how do you know if someone you love—child or adult—is abusing drugs? The most significant indicator is change: change in physical appearance, personality or behavior. Here are some of the specific signs of drug abuse:
Physical
- High energy level and/or excessive chattiness
- Unusual sleep patterns—sleeping too much, being awake at odd hours or not sleeping for days at a time
- Pupils larger or smaller than usual
- Tremors or shaking
- Runny nose, sniffling
- Frequent grinding of teeth or twisting of the jaw back and forth
- Several small sores on face
- Deterioration of teeth
Behavior and Personality
- Change in overall attitude and personality with no other discernible cause
- Loss of interest and participation in activities
- General lack of motivation and energy
- Change in friends
- Paranoia
- Silliness and giddiness OR moodiness and irritability
- Change in personal grooming habits
- Unexplained need for money
The specific symptoms associated with the commonly abused drugs above, marijuana and synthetic marijuana, are very different. According to the Partnership for a Drug Free America, signs of synthetic marijuana use include inability to speak, aggression, agitation and excessive sweating. Common signs of non-synthetic marijuana use involve sleepiness, a lack of concentration and coordination, forgetfulness in conversation and increased appetite, especially a craving for sweets.
Every type of drug has different signs and symptoms of its use, and some of these symptoms can look like illnesses such as clinical depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder: it can be difficult to differentiate between drug use and mental illness. If you’d like to find out more information about drug use and drug testing, please contact us.