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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.  

The following web site will be helpful to them: Drug-abuse HELP and TREATMENT Center LOCATER for all 50 states.

The major categories of drug use/abuse indicators are:

PERFORMANCE indicators

BEHAVIORAL indicators

PHYSICAL indicators

PARAPHERNALIA indicators

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 HIRE-SAFE and is highly recommended. more details



Performance indicators that are often (but not always) specific to drug-abuse:

excessive absenteeism or tardiness

lower productivity, lower grades in school

missed deadlines

excessive equipment breakdown because of poor maintenance

deteriorating work quality

poor morale

increased minor accidents and mistakes

multiple reports of theft, missing personal items by coworkers, classmates

Behavioral 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

Physical indicators that are often (but not always) are 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!

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Common Illegal Drug Use

Street Names for Commonly Abused Drugs   Substance Type Examples of Proprietary or Street Names Medical Uses Route of Administration DEA Schedule Period of Detection Stimulants Amphetamine Biphetamine, Dexedrine; Black Beauties, Crosses, Hearts Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obesity, narcolepsy Injected, oral, smoked, sniffed II 1-2 days Cocaine Coke, Crack, Flake, Rocks, Snow Local anesthetic, vasoconstrictor Injected, smoked, sniffed II 1-4 days Methamphetamine Desoxyn; Crank, Crystal, Glass, Ice, Speed ADHD, obesity, narcolepsy Injected, oral, smoked, sniffed II 1-2 days Methylphenidate Ritalin ADHD, narcolepsy Injected, oral II 1-2 days Nicotine Habitrol patch, Nicorette gum, Nicotrol spray, Prostep patch; Cigars, Cigarettes, Smokeless tobacco, Snuff, Spit tobacco Treatment for nicotine dependence Smoked, sniffed, oral, transdermal N/A 1-2 days Hallucinogens and Other Compounds LSD Acid, Microdot None Oral I 8 hours Mescaline Buttons, Cactus, Mesc, Peyote None Oral I 2-3 days Phencyclidine & Analogs PCP; Angel Dust, Boat, Hog, Love Boat Anesthetic (veterinary) Injected, oral, smoked I, II 2-8 days Psilocybin Magic Mushroom, Purple Passion, Shrooms None Oral I 8 hours Amphetamine variants DOB, DOM, MDA, MDMA; Adam, Ecstasy, STP, XTC None Oral I 1-2 days Marijuana Blunt, Grass, Herb, Pot, Reefer, Sinsemilla, Smoke, Weed Antiemetic Oral, smoked I 1 day - 5 weeks Hashish Hash None Oral, smoked I 1 day - 5 weeks Tetrahydrocannabinol Marinol, THC Antiemetic Oral, smoked I, II 1 day - 5 weeks Anabolic Steroids Testosterone (T/E ratio), Stanazolol, Nandrolene Hormone Replacement Therapy Oral, injected III Oral: up to 3 weeks (for testosterone and others); Injected: up to 3 months (Nandrolene up to 9 months) Opioids and Morphine Derivatives Codeine Tylenol w/codeine, Robitussin A-C, Empirin w/codeine, Fiorinal w/codeine Analgesic, antitussive Injected, oral II, III, IV 1-2 days Heroin Diacetylmorphine; Horse, Smack None Injected, smoked, sniffed I 1-2 days Methadone Amidone, Dolophine, Methadose Analgesic, treatment for opiate dependence Injected, oral II 1 day - 1 week Morphine Roxanol, Duramorph Analgesic Injected, oral, smoked II, III 1-2 days Opium Laudanum, Paregoric; Dover's Powder Analgesic, antidiarrheal Oral, smoked II, III, V 1-2 days Depressants Alcohol Beer, Wine, Liquor Antidote for methanol poisoning Oral N/A 6-10 hours Barbiturates Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, Phenobarbital; Barbs Anesthetic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative Injected, oral II, III, IV 2-10 days Benzodiazepines Ativan, Halcion, Librium, Rohypnol, Valium; Roofies, Tranks, Xanax Antianxiety, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative Injected, oral IV 1-6 weeks Methaqualone Quaalude, Ludes None Oral I 2 weeks The above information compliments of NIDA NOTE: For chronic substance abusers, drugs (other than alcohol) can be retained in the system much longer after their last use.  For instance, marijuana and PCP can be detected for up to 60-90 days after lengthy, heavy periods of use. * Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacture among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use. Schedule II drugs are available only through prescription, cannot have refills and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available with prescription, may have 5 refills in 6 months and may be ordered orally. Most Schedule V drugs are available over the counter. HYPERREAL ORG - One of the largest illegal drug archives to be found on the internet. Drug Testing News Return to the HOME PAGE