Answer to your Question

Answered By: Addiction Specialist

Answer: The only truly reliable way to know if someone is using a substance is to have them provide a sample of urine, blood, saliva, or hair to be analyzed in a laboratory. Obviously most people addicted to or abusing drugs are not willing to do this, so here are some behaviors and physical signs associated with use of different drugs.
Methamphetamine
· dilated (large) pupils
· jitteriness
· no appetite
· weight loss
· cavities and tooth loss
· increased, rapid speech
· decreased need for sleep
· increase in sexual activity or use of pornography
· increase in goal directed activity (e.g. meticulously cleaning a room)
· track marks if injecting
· cold, clammy hands
· paranoia

Cocaine
· dilated (large pupils)
· jitteriness
· no appetite
· weight loss
· nasal congestion (if snorting)
· increased, rapid speech
· decreased need for sleep
· track marks if injecting
· cold, clammy hands
· paranoia

Heroin, Morphine, Oxycontin, Vicodin, Percocet, other opiates
· constricted (small) pupils
· drowsiness
· increased time spent sleeping
· constipation
· lowered eyelids
· decrease in physical activity
· withdrawal symptoms include diarrhea, irritability, cold sweats, bone pain, goose bumps, dilated (large) pupils

Marijuana
· bloodshot eyes
· increased appetite
· decrease in physical activity
· increased laughter

Answered on: October 21, 2008