SPECIFIC DRUGS AND THEIR SYMPTOMS OF ABUSE

 

Many people try to keep their drug abuse hidden from disapproving friends and family. A young person may leave home to abuse alcohol or other drugs. An adult may use drugs at work or with friends and not at home. You may not have a chance to view all the direct symptoms of a particular drug. Also, many people abuse more than one drug at a time. You can use following detailed symptom descriptions of the exact drug to know what drug your loved one may be abusing.

Alcohol

Loss of inhibitions, physical control and balance. Dulling of pain. At lower doses, increase in energy and confidence, followed by fatigue and drowsiness at higher doses. Dehydration, hangover. Slurred speech, sweating, blurred vision, poor judgment. Depression. Loss of ability to determine distances and heights. Very high dosages can result in coma and death.

Marijuana-Like Drugs

Marijuana and hashish

Loss of inhibitions, mellowness, exhilara-tion, increased sociability, unwarranted laughter. Dizziness, flushing, red eyes, dry mouth, shakiness. Distortions of time, space or speed. Loss of coordination, difficulty thinking, learning or problem-solving, loss of memory. Sudden increases in appetite, especially for sweets. Sedation, drowsiness. At high doses, anxiety, panic attacks, nausea and vomiting may occur. Red eyes. Yellow tar stains on fingers.

Spice/K2/Synthetic marijuana

Euphoria, giddiness, paranoia, panic attacks. Increased heart rate and blood pressure. Vomiting, confusion, anxiety, hallucinations. 

Opiates

Heroin, morphine, opium and prescrip-tion painkillers like OxyContin, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, codeine, oxymorphone, methadone, meperidine

Sluggish movements, pupils stay very small, flushed face and neck, constipation, nausea, vomiting, slow breathing. Person may dope off or be very drowsy and hard to rouse. Euphoria, sense of well-being, reduced stress or anxiety, pain relief. Apathy, inability to focus attention.

Stimulants

Adderall/Ritalin

Excitement, stimulation, artificial sense of confidence and self-worth, unusually increased energy, loss of appetite. Awake for long periods, unusually focused. Temporary effect of slurred speech or drooling at times. Dilated pupils. High-dose use can result in aggression, panic, suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Paranoia and hallucinations may also occur. Termination of use may be fol-lowed by depression and fatigue.

Amphetamine/Desoxyn

Excitement, stimulation, greatly heightened but artificial sense of confidence and self-worth, unusually increased energy that is sustained over time, suppression of appetite and awake for long periods. Temporary increase in mental sharpness and focus. Increased body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. Dilated pupils. High-dose use can result in aggression, panic, suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Paranoia and hallucinations may also occur. Termination of use always followed by depression and intense fatigue.

Cocaine or crack cocaine

Rapid onset of effects with a short duration. Excitement, stimulation, delusionally amplified senses of confidence and self-worth, unusually increased energy, loss of appetite, awake for long periods, unusually focused. Dilated pupils. Dry or cracked lips. High-dose use can result in aggression, panic, suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Paranoia and hallucinations may also occur. Termination of use may be followed by depression and intense fatigue. Many users binge on this drug.

“Bath salts” (new type of synthetic drug)

Agitation, insomnia, depres-sion, irritability, decreased ability to think clearly. Severe effects include paranoia, delusions, suicidal thoughts, psychotic and violent behavior. Bizarre choices like stripping one’s clothes off in public.

Methamphetamine

Excitement, stimulation, exaggerated sense of con-fidence and self-worth, sustained increase in energy, suppressed appetite and wakefulness for long periods. Temporary increase in mental sharpness and focus. Dry or cracked lips. Dilated pupils, increased body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. High-dose use can result in aggression, panic, suicidal or homicidal tendencies. Termination of use always followed by depression and intense fatigue. Chronic abuse may result in memory loss, severe weight loss, a psychosis that includes paranoia, compulsive picking at one’s skin, violent behavior and hallucinations. Overheating and irregular heartbeat may result. Most users binge on this drug and stay awake for days. 

Khat (plant substance) 

Delusional mania of self-worth, paranoia, nightmares, hallucinations, excessive energy and activity. Increased blood pressure and heart rate. Brown staining of teeth, insomnia, stomach upset. Chronic use can result in exhaustion.

Club drugs

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Increased energy and activity, particularly dancing. Increased wakefulness, heart rate, blood pressure. Raised body temperature (sometimes to dangerous levels). Artificially increased empathy and sexu-ality which may lead to unwanted sexual activity. Increased sensitivity to touch, sound, light. Muscle tension, tremors, sweating. Users may clench teeth uncontrollably, leading to the use of baby pacifiers to prevent the teeth from grinding. It is easy to dehydrate and overheat after taking this drug. When drug use is terminated, a person may become severely depressed. 

GHB (a steroid)

Lightheadedness, loss of physical coordination, blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, headaches, vomiting. Low blood pressure and slow breathing. May cause either reduced anxiety and sleepiness or excited, aggressive behavior and hallucinations. Euphoria. Often used in sexual assaults as the drugged person may be defenseless and not remember the event later. Increase in libido.

Rohypnol

Loss of physical coordination, weakness, headache, slowed breathing. Relief of anxiety, sleepiness, may cause amnesia. Euphoria. Often used in sexual assaults as the person given the drug may be defenseless and not remember the “date rape” later.

Dissociative drugs

Ketamine

Pain relief, loss of identity or sense of one’s own body, hallucinations. Some people use the drug to the point that a near-cata-tonic condition is reached while eyes may still be open. Agitation, depression, amnesia, difficulty thinking clearly or problem solving. Dilated pupils. Stiff muscles, nausea. May be used for sexual assault.

PCP (Angel Dust)

Increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils. Distortions of time, shape, color or sound. Total suppression of pain. Flushed skin. Violent hallucinations may occur. Weeks or months later, there may be flashbacks.

Salvia

Very short-lasting effects include perception of bright lights, vivid colors and distortions of objects. Fear, panic, uncontrollable laughter, hallucinations. Loss of coordination, dizziness, slurred speech. 

Cough medicine/dextromethorphan (DXM)

Euphoria, laughter, hallucinations involving sight and sound, confusion, agitation, para-noia, sense of floating. Lethargy, loss of coordination, slurred speech, sweating. Eyes may move around spasmodically. Certain preparations of DXM may also cause vomiting, seizures, rapid heart rate and coma.

Hallucinogens

LSD

Increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils. Distortions of time, shape, color or sound. Loss of appetite, sleepless-ness, hallucinations. Impaired perception of current dangers that can result in injury or death. Weeks or months later, flashbacks may occur. Heavy use may result in psychosis or severe depression. Bizarre choices like stripping one’s clothes off in public.

Mescaline/peyote (cactus buttons)

Hallucinations, altered perception of time, space or one’s own body. Euphoria, anxiety, nausea, vomiting. Increased heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Headaches, weakness. 

Psilocybin (mushrooms)

Hallucinations, inability to tell real from inactual events. Panic attacks and psychosis, particularly after large doses. Nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, poor coordination. 

Inhalants

Inhalants include paint, glue, solvent, computer dust-off, butane, fab-ric protector, vegetable oil sprays, hair spray, whipped cream cans, CO2 canisters, refrigerants, gasoline, propane, degreasers, paint thinners and more.

Weight loss, muscle weakness, depression, irritability. Slurred speech, lack of coordination, euphoria, dizziness. Lingering headache and disorientation. Drowsiness and lack of attentiveness. Red marks or sores around the nose and mouth. Drunk or dazed appearance, smell of chemicals. A person inhaling paint fumes may have paint stains on face or clothes.

Prescription depressants other than opiates

Ambien

Sleepiness, sedation, memory loss. When coming off high doses of this drug, a person may experience panic attacks, psychosis and suicidal thoughts. 

Barbiturates like phenobarbital, Seconal, Tuinal

Lightheadedness, loss of physical coordination, blurred vision, head-aches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. Low blood pressure and slow breathing. Temporary relief of anxiety, sleepiness, may cause amnesia. Euphoria and lack of inhibition. Poor judgment. Dangerous to with-draw from.

Benzodiazepines like Valium, Xanax, Librium

Lightheadedness, loss of physical coordination, blurred vision, head-aches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting. Low blood pressure and slow breathing. Temporary relief of anxiety, sleepiness, may cause amnesia. Euphoria. Hostility, irritability, unpleasant dreams. Withdrawal can result in extreme anxiety.

Soma

Confusion, sleepiness, loss of coordination, slow reaction time. A person driving or operating machinery may be at risk. Dazed expression, hallucinations, disorientation.