Drug or alcohol abuse involves somebody we love or know being exposed to harmful chemicals which can cause problems with their health, choice of lifestyle and could ultimately become life threatening. Nobody wants to suspect anybody of substance abuse, this in the age of the teenage years, constant peer pressure sometimes outweighs their own decisions. Recognizing signs of substance abuse can be difficult, and even harder to take action against. There are several tactics you can use if you suspect drug or alcohol abuse and take action.
Instructions
1. Look for sudden changes regarding somebody's appearance or lifestyle. If you suspect drug abuse, look for a red face or flushed cheeks. If you suspect any kind of alcohol abuse, try to see changes in an individual such as a different attitude.
2. Constantly monitor where the individual you suspect is going to during the day and night. Ask questions for your own clarification and see what they look like and are acting like when they either return or right before they leave.
3. Pay close attention to a change in personal habits and small things. You may see an individual clenching their teeth more if they are abusing drugs or alcohol. They could smell different, avoid eye contact at all times and use lots mints or gums to try and cover up their breath. An individual who is into drugs might be short on cash, so always be aware if they ask you for money to borrow. The person might act very secretly, staying in their room a lot or avoiding family members and friends a great deal. Abusers sometimes use eye drops to reduce the redness in their eyes and tend of use perfumes and colognes to cover up the smell of drugs and alcohol.
4. Keep a close eye on changes in how an individual relates to their family and friends. The person might withdraw during activities, will not communicate and gets angry over little incidents. Abusers might act in a way that is not normal for them, such as being loud, swearing a lot or acting extremely tired.
5. Watch to see if the person loses interest in things like school or work. The abuser may begin showing up late to school or work or not showing up at all. They also might stop caring about the quality of their work completely.
6. Watch to see how often the person claims to feel sick or is acting strange. Abusers suffer from vomiting, depression, sweating, headaches and an upset stomach. Signs you should watch for include excessive eating and drinking, cuts and bruises, and sudden changes in weight.
7. Although items are not usually inside the abusers home, look for things such as strange looking pipes, unusual wrappers or containers of aluminum foil. These items can be used to make and carry drugs so they can smoke them.
Tags: alcohol abuse, changes individual, drugs alcohol, person might, school work, substance abuse, sudden changes