Signs of Substance Abuse
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Alcohol Drug & Prevention Program
3160 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503-588-5357
Email: mchdprevention@co.marion.or.us
Signs of Substance Abuse
Substance use and abuse is widespread throughout the United States. Whether an individual starts taking drugs recreationally, or prescribed, the longer a person uses a substance, the harder it will be stop.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of drug use can help identify whether a friend or family member needs help. Following are some signs of drug use and abuse:
- Changes in friends.
- Negative changes in schoolwork, missing school, or declining grades.
- Increased secrecy about possessions or activities.
- Use of incense, room deodorant, or perfume to hide smoke or chemical odors.
- Subtle changes in conversations with friends, e.g., more secretive, using “coded” language.
- Change in clothing choices; new fascination with clothes that highlights drug use.
- Increase in borrowing money.
- Changes in sleeping or eating patterns.
- Evidence of drug paraphernalia such as pipes, rolling papers, etc.
- Evidence of use of inhalant products (such as hairspray, nail polish, correction fluid, common household products); rags and paper bags are sometimes used as accessories.
- Bottles of eye drops, which may be used to mask bloodshot eyes or dilated pupils.
- New use of mouthwash or breath mints to cover up the smell of alcohol.
- Missing prescription drugs – especially narcotics and mood stabilizers.
- Coming home with physical signs of intoxication (e.g., smell of alcohol on breath, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, problems with balance/coordination.
If you or a loved one needs help, visit our resources page for more information. Resources
Email Privacy: While we are happy to answer general questions via email, we suggest you do not transmit personal or health related information in your message. We cannot meet any expectation you might have of confidentiality when you communicate with us over the Internet. If you have a specific personal or health-related issue, please call the appropriate county government office instead.
Email address: health@co.marion.or.us
To report a public health emergency, or make an urgent report of communicable disease, call 503-588-5621 at anytime.