| The signs of drug abuse are too often obvious only | | | | in old pursuits and find new ones pretty regularly. But |
| after we find that there is a drug problem of long | | | | when this is coupled with two or more of the other |
| duration. Once the problem has been percolating | | | | signs and symptoms listed here, it is another indicator |
| under the surface for a while, fixing it is much more | | | | that drugs or alcohol are at the bottom of the |
| difficult. So it is useful to know and recognize | | | | change. |
| indications of drug use. | | | | 4. Secrecy. |
| 1. The first sign to watch for, and I mean that | | | | Using drugs or alcohol against the wishes of parents |
| literally, would be changes in general attitude. | | | | or spouses is usually kept hidden. This is especially |
| For many reasons, this is probably the most | | | | true when the user is a son or daughter living at |
| important indication of drug use. It is important | | | | home, so some of their activities must be kept out |
| because it will be the first tip-off you will see. | | | | of your sight. Look for locks on doors, unexplained |
| Unfortunately, it is likely to be missed because there | | | | short trips outside, visits from friends that go |
| are so many possible reasons for altered behavior. | | | | immediately into the bedroom or basement, |
| The idea that young people just naturally have nasty | | | | anywhere they cannot be observed. As with the |
| attitudes toward their elders is a lie. Something has | | | | changed hobbies, this is not necessarily a sure sign of |
| occurred to turn sweet little Johnny or Susie into a | | | | drugs or booze, but in combination with other signs, |
| sneering, condescending pain in the neck. It does not | | | | this one will nearly always be present. |
| "just happen." | | | | 5. Lies. |
| Something is going down that is not out in the open. | | | | This one is nearly always going to accompany drug |
| Secrets are being kept about an activity that would | | | | abuse. They will start lying a little and then making |
| not be approved of, and it is not always going to be | | | | more and bigger lies. This is also not a natural |
| drug abuse, but something that this young person | | | | progression and points to something forbidden going |
| knows would not be allowed or condoned, he is | | | | on. What else would they be hiding? |
| doing. | | | | Putting untruth between self and anyone who |
| 2. Changes in friends and new acquaintances who | | | | disapproves of their actions is more than typical, it is |
| seem a little bit different from the old crowd. | | | | a nearly invariably a part of the whole drug |
| This sign is a little tricky too. Kids or young adults | | | | symptoms package. |
| change their buddies on a pretty regular basis, so it is | | | | There are physical changes that will be necessary to |
| not a sure sign of drug abuse. However, when the | | | | watch for also, and another article will be coming |
| people hanging around are nearly all recently recycled | | | | soon to address those in detail. But the users' |
| and the old friends do not come around anymore, it | | | | behavior is usually the first indication of the existence |
| is time to start looking more closely into their | | | | of a drug problem. |
| activities. If the new friends seem a little shady to | | | | Keep your eye out for these indicators and do not |
| you, and you get a creepy feeling when they arrive, | | | | hesitate to move on your suspicions, but do it |
| your feelings will most likely be completely correct. | | | | without making the person feel wrong or stupid. Do |
| Time to get very curious. | | | | not scold or lose your temper. Check out my |
| 3. Putting down the old hobbies and favorite activities. | | | | intervention articles on EzineArticles for more on how |
| Sudden changes in interests can happen for many | | | | to approach the drug user. |
| reasons, and a person, young or old, can lose interest | | | | |