#5: Signs someone you love may be involved in drugs

After reading about what opioids are and how dependence, tolerance, addiction develop, the next question we will discuss is: How can I tell if someone is involved in drugs.
Sadly, in conversations with those incarcerated or in recovery, many of them say they started experimenting with drugs in middle school when they were eleven to fourteen years old.  It is so important for parents of this age child to know the signs of drug use to begin conversations and treatment ASAP.
General signs of drug use include:

• Sudden and significant changes in personality, behavior or mood
• Difficulties at school, drop in grades, attendance/tardiness issues
• Changes in physical appearance, poor skin tone, lack of interest in grooming and hygiene
• Withdrawing from activities and interests, becoming more isolated and private
• A new group of friends, new contacts on phone that the family does not recognize
• Lack of energy and apathy OR hyper activity
• Increased financial needs
• Weight loss and change in appetite
• Changes in eyes: Bloodshot eyes, glazed over eyes, pin prick pupils or dilated pupils
• Defensiveness about questions their activities and friends
• Dishonesty, items missing from the home, criminal activity
• Disappearance of spoons, finding small squares of aluminum foil that look like incense was burned on them
• Soot on forehead

One of the trickiest aspects of noticing signs of early drug use is that many are very similar to typical adolescent behaviors.  None of these on their own indicates drug use, but multiple and increasing signs indicate a need to investigate further.
If someone you love is showing signs of drug use, what can you do?  Here are some resources that might help:
SAMHSA National 24/7 Hotline (English and Spanish): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Indiana Addiction 24/7 Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
Mental Health America Crisis Center 24/7 Hotline: 765-742-0244
Tippecanoe County Quick Response Team 24/7 Hotline: 765-607-6771
211 is easy to remember and can guide you to the best helpline for your situation.
Here are several websites with helpful information:
https://www.tallcopsaysstop.com  This is one of my favorites.  Tall Cop is police officer Jermaine Galloway.  He says, “You can’t stop what you don’t know.”
https://www.drugabuse.gov/family-checkup:  This website highlights the parenting skills that can be useful in preventing young people from beginning and continuing drug use.  It lists five questions to use to help families think about their interactions with their children. 
Remember, the earlier intervention is begun, the easier it is treat drug abuse.  There are resources out there that can help.  The key is noticing the signs and being aware. 
Lynn Saylor is an AmeriCorps member serving in the United Against Opioid Abuse Initiative through the White County United Way.  She can be contacted at [email protected].  Previous articles may be found on whitecountyunitedway.org/opioids.html.
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