WARNING! Signs of Drug Abuse:
Washington State Substance Abuse
Commission
14700 Main Street
Bellevue, WA 98007
Each drug has its specific symptoms and effects, and multi-drug use may confuse the signs. Marijuana use is especially difficult to detect. Parents may confuse warning signs with normal adolescent moods, phases, and rebellion. There are many reasons, other than drug abuse, for several of the signs listed below. These behaviors indicate that something important is going on in your child's life and you, as a parent, will want to be concerned and talk with your child.
- Loss of interest in activities, significant drop in school
performance, lack of motivation and enthusiasm.
- Personality changes, change from active interests and
involvement to passive behavior, an "I don't care" attitude, irritability,
hostility, paranoia, over-reaction to criticism expressed by saying "get off my
back" or everything is a "hassle", secretiveness, drop in normal family
warmth.
- Change in personal habits, values, and friends who won't
identify themselves.
- Physical decline, weight loss, neglect of appearance,
acting intoxicated, pale face, change in vitality and sleep patterns.
- Reduced memory concentration, and attention span.
- Smell of marijuana (sweet, burnt odor) in room, on clothes,
etc., or attempt to disguise it with cigarettes, beer, room deodorizer, incense, etc.;
visine for red eyes.
- Physical evidence; roach (butt) or roach holder (clip) from
a joint rolling papers, seeds or leaves, pipes or bongs, devices for hiding the 'stash'
such as Coke cans with false bottom, other drug paraphernalia and magazines.
- Disappearance of items of value or money from the home, unexplained drain on finances, items missing from medicine cabinet.