Drug signs and teenagers

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Signs of drug abuse

Teenagers and drugs

Although some surveys suggest that drug use in teens has decreased since 2001, the numbers are still quite high. Over 17% of high school students admit use of illegal drugs within one month of when they were asked and more than 40% of those over 12 years old say that they have tried an illegal substance at least once.

Some signs of possible drug use include:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Persistent cough
• Pupils of eyes extremely big (dilated) or extremely small (pinpoint); nystagmus (rapid eye motion) might be a sign of PCP abuse
• Loss of appetite (occurs with amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine use)
• Increased appetite (with marijuana use)
• Sluggishness, listlessness, or constant sleeping (opiate drugs such as heroine, codeine; or may occur when coming down off stimulant drugs)
• Hyperactivity (as seen with "uppers" such as cocaine, methamphetamine)
• Poor school performance and increased school absenteeism
• Withdrawal from family and extracurricular activities
• Change in group of friends
• Unusual odor on breath (inhalant drugs)
• Secretive behavior
• Lying or stealing
• Slow or slurred speech (downers and depressants)
• Rapid, explosive speech (uppers)
• Unsteady gait (ataxia)

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Early intervention may decrease the likelihood that drug use will continue in this population.

See: Drug abuse and dependence and drug abuse

Review Date: 08/02/2009
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).