Is Someone Close to You Using Drugs? Here are 9 ways to help you find out.

Wife is suspecting drug use

People who use drugs or alcohol become experienced when it comes to hiding their addiction. Over time the skill becomes sharper and sharper and they learn the little secrets to keep the habit secret from anyone. As for me, I tried to hide my addiction from everyone and after few years I became a professional at it.

Here are some signs that indicate a person is using drugs

1. Lack of money: If your loved one makes enough money and suddenly is lacking money, it is a big sign. Drugs and alcohol are expensive and in addiction, it will come to a point where the user is spending all they have on the habit. It might get to a point when they need to find ways to get money or they start selling their personal things at the pawn shop for quick cash.

2. No patience: Users have little patience and become irritated quickly. If you notice that your loved one suddenly has no patience about little things, it can be a sign they are using. It may be that things that did not bother them before are now driving them crazy.

Friends party

3. Social Media: You can tell a lot about someone’s life from their social media page. People usually post about things they can relate to. Users usually don’t care about what they say or post, many posts can show disrespectful images (like the middle finger) in their pictures or use foul language. If their posts show a dramatic change in behavior, then this could be a sign that they are using drugs or alcohol since these substances impair judgment and cause a person to behave irrationally.

4. Circle of friends: You are who your friends are, and people with the same habits hang out together. You can check out their friends on social media and find out if your loved one is commenting on posts or are in pictures at some event that indicate the may be using, or hanging out with others who use drugs and alcohol.

5. Red and glassy eyes: The eyes are a big indicator if the person is using. Usually, redness, glassy eyes, tired eyes, half-lidded or eyes wide open are signs that there is something wrong.

6. Food habits: Different drugs have different effects on the user. Some drugs will make the person very hungry and some will cause them not to eat at all. If the person starts eating a lot and sometimes eats things that don’t go together, it can be a sign. For example, if they eat and then go for a walk and smoke some weed, they will end up back in the kitchen eating more.

7. Lack of hygiene and appearance: This is an important indicator. Users get to a point where they don’t care about their appearance and hygiene. Alcohol stays in the blood and after they shower, they will sweat it out and smell like alcohol even when not having a drink. They will care less about the way they look and how clean their clothes are.

Watching TV

8. Losing interest in hobbies: If the person is losing interest in their sports, their team or something they always cared about, this is a huge sign. There is very likely more to it than the person finding a new hobby or activity. Their only activity may now be using drugs or drinking alcohol.

9. Lack of confront: Users lose their ability to confront things in life. They will start avoiding confrontational situations and it will get to a point where they isolate themselves from anyone and anything to avoid life itself.

Keep in mind that I say this from my own experience, so always make sure, or at least by reasonably certain, before making any accusation. The person close to you may be going through something in life and they need a friend, not a judge.

If you find out that your loved one is using drugs, approach the situation with care and compassion. Talk to them and show them they can trust you. Tell them that if they are in trouble, they can count on you.

DONT JUDGE THEM. Bring up solutions to their problems, such as rehab. If the person is not confronting their addiction, interventions are very effective. Addicts are ashamed of their use, so it is hard for them to admit that they can’t stop, but if they trust you enough, they will open up and ask you for help. When that happens, this is very important to remember: if they agree to get help, take them right away. The more time goes by, the more likely the person is to change their mind, and it will be even harder to get through to them and help them.

AUTHOR

Heni

Heni earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Video Production from the Art Institute of Houston and went on to work in the media for 16 years, eventually becoming an Operations Manager for a television station. Having witnessed the harm that drugs and alcohol wreak on people’s lives, he is now utilizing his skills to spread awareness about drug and alcohol addiction and to bring hope to families and individuals who are battling addiction.

NARCONON ARROWHEAD

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION