Unusual Behavior and Physiological Symptoms Often Linked to Drug Use

Added: 01/10/2006

Sometimes it?s very difficult to tell that a person is using drugs. Most drug abusers don?t share their drug problems with dear people or friends. On the contrary they tend to deny or hide their difficulties. But there are certain warning signs that can help to indicate that a friend or member of a family is using drugs. Different types of unusual behavior, paranoia, unexplained silliness, and health problems can be symptoms of drug abuse.

Constant use of drugs always causes certain changes in behavior, life style, appearance and physical condition. It?s obvious that signs and symptoms vary depending on the type of a drug used. Below we?ll define signs of using different groups of drugs.

Usage of cocaine, crack, methamphetamines and stimulants causes runny nose, chronic nasal problems, and nose bleeds. These drugs users have dilated pupils, dry mouth and bad breath. They are too active, have difficulties with sitting still and they lose interest in food or sleep. The abusers can be nervous, talkative (though change subject fast) and irritable.

Ecstasy causes depression, headaches, vomiting, nausea and dizziness. Ecstasy users experience blurred vision, chills or sweating, clenching of the jaw, grinding teeth and muscle tension. Unusual behavior such as paranoia, anxiety, trance-like state, panic attacks can also be results of ecstasy abuse.

Users of hallucinogens, LSD and acid have dilated pupils, warm skin, excessive body odor and perspiration. The intensity of a high, behavior changes depend on emotional condition of the user and surroundings. Distorted image of self, sense of hearing, sight and touch are always present after the use of this group of drugs. Synesthesia (seeing of sounds and hearing of colors) is a common effect of hallucinogens use. Depression and severe anxiety resulting in suicide can also become consequences of these drugs use.

Marijuana is the most popular drug with the youth. Use of it can be indicated through such symptoms as inflammation in whites of eyes, strange odor and brown residue on fingers. Unusual behavior after use of marijuana includes rapid and loud talking, laughing, forgetfulness in conversations.

While using heroin, opium, codeine and some prescription drugs people can experience lethargy, drowsiness, their speech is slurred. Nostrils may be red and raw from inhaling heroin powder. Also scars from needle injections can be noticed somewhere in the body.

Abusers of inhalants have runny nose, watering eyes, poor muscle control and they experience unconsciousness. Their clothes and breath obtain specific odor of substance used. Abuse of depressants causes symptoms of alcohol use with no alcohol odor in breath. Most depressant users show unexplained silliness in their unusual behavior.

Solvents, aerosols, petrol and glue are often used by teenagers and kids. It can result in severe brain damage, pains in muscles and chest, heart troubles, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, slowed breathing, impaired coordination, slurred speech, nosebleeds, strange and unusual behavior and even sudden death and suffocation.

As we can see, there are various symptoms and signs of drug abuse but it should be remembered that most of them can be detected while a user stays under the influence of a drug. When after the intoxication drug use can be indicated by other symptoms connected with life style changes and changes in home or school behavior, mood, habits, peer relations and interests.

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