How to See if Someone is Using Drugs?

You have been suspicious for a little while.  Your teen, your brother, your spouse, your friend, whoever the person in your life is, you are suspecting that he or she is using drugs.  How can you find out?  You want to be sure before you talk to him. 

A person can become irritated, moody, and argumentative or he could become withdrawn and retreat to his room such as a teenager, a college student or even an adult.  Someone who was once outgoing now spending all his time alone is definitely a red flag when it comes to the possibility of drug or alcohol use. 

Remember Tommy?  Where did your son's friends go, the ones he grew up with?  The ones he was “thick as thieves” with all through school?  Who is this new group of characters honking out at the curb that frankly, you just aren't impressed with?  A change in friends is a sign of drug use as well, that your teen has begun hanging out with kids who are into drugs.  Follow your instincts and check it out, IMMEDIATELY. 

Again, with teens or college students, poor grades could be a sign.  If your student was getting good grades before but now seems to be failing or is skipping school, find out why.  This is one of the first things that can raise a flag yet many parents do not want to face it so if you see it happening, take action. 

If things are missing from home, it could be easily explained for several reasons.  However, one of those reasons could be they are getting pawned or sold for drug money. If you just knew you had a hundred dollar bill tucked inside your wallet or jewelry box that is now gone and your husband or wife gets irritated because you ask if he or she has seen it, maybe there is more to the grumpiness than you realize.  If money is missing from the checking or savings account, if the credit card is showing a huge cash advance, it is time to find out if drugs or alcohol is involved.

Is your significant other calling in on Mondays after drinking too much on weekends?  Has she lost her job because she called in one too many times?  A complete change in personality and the way one treats his or her responsibilities is another red flag to watch for.  Sleeping all the time or just the opposite, staying up all the time because he or she seems wired and energetic, is a sure sign that there is something amiss. 

These are the most common signs of drug or alcohol abuse.  The sooner you pay attention to the signs, the sooner you can get help for your loved one.  If you do suspect in any way that someone close to you has a drug problem, pay attention.  Call a drug rehab helpline for advice.  You do not have to get your loved one through this alone.