Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol / Drug Use 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 highlight drug use Increase in borrowing money Change 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)
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 highlight drug use
Increase in borrowing money
Change 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