Signs of Substance Abuse

Being your brother's keeper is important at HSC. Be on the lookout for these signs of substance 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 highlight drug use
• Increase in borrowing money
• 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

Emotional signs:  sudden mood swings, irresponsible behavior, lack of interest in activities of former interest, personality differences, low self-esteem, irritability

Physical signs: repeated health problems, lingering cough, fatigue, frequent headaches, red and glazed eyes

Social indications: changes in friends and preferred activities, changes in style of dress, less attention to personal appearance, run-ins with the law

Academic problems: dropping grades, discipline problems, decreased interest in school activities and extracurricular activities, increased tardiness, negative attitude