Signs of Drug Use:
  • Injection sites - track marks
  • Appears intoxicated/´stoned´
  • Eyes - red, watery, dull, bright, staring, heavy, vacant, pin-point or dilated pupils
  • Poor complexion
  • Skin complaints - ´glue rash´
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Runny nose
  • Appears ill/drawn
  • Wasted muscles
  • ´Nodding off´
  • Swollen/damaged hands
  • Impaired co-ordination Steroids
  • Increase weight
  • Increase size
  • Well developed muscles
  • Acne on backBehaviour signs
  • Mood swings
  • Inappropriate or unpredictable behaviour
  • Lack of concentration
  • Loss of interest in usual activities
  • Sudden change of personality
  • Tiredness
  • Depressed, lethargic
  • Happy, content
  • Irritable
  • Paranoid
  • Overactive
  • Withdrawn
  • Work or school performance deteriorates
  • Social relationships deteriorate
  • Involvement in crime
  • Aggressive
  • Excitable
  • Energetic


The difficulty is that these signs are very often a natural part of growing up, so a young person who is not using drugs could show the same changes.

Other indicators:
  • Evidence of substance or method of use - smell, glue on clothes, blood or burns on clothes, burnt tinfoil, discarded ´wraps´, syringes
  • Addiction to exercise
life with drugsLong Term Effects Where drugs can lead
Living with users What to do in an emergency