Drugs and Its Abusers: Part 1

A Never Ending Trend

Lets face it, drugs have been abused by people for a very long time.  The recreational use of drugs isn't going up or down it just changes from one generation to another.  In the 70s it was Acid.  In the 80s it was Cocaine, 90s Crack.  These days the trend has changed to Crystal Meth.  All these drugs are still around and still being used including Heroin and every abuser has a drug of choice.  None of the above mentioned drugs are any better to do than the next.  They will all hurt your body and mind in some way it just depends on where your body and mind will draw the line.  Some addicts



don't care who knows that they do drugs and will openly admit it.  Some hide their drug use for various reasons. So what if you think someone is abusing drugs and is hiding it?  What are the signs or major "tip-offs" that will tell you that they are using drugs.  How can you tell what specific drugs they are using?  I will do my best to answer all these questions in this article.

Major Signs

Addicts and drug abusers, regardless of the drug will have similar overriding behavioural changes that could signal that they are taking drugs.

Unkempt Appearance - If a person is suddenly looking dishevelled. messy, with uncombed hair, dirty clothes.  If they generally seem to all of a sudden not care about their appearance and personal hygiene.  Keeping up proper appearance and hygiene takes time and energy both of which is robbed by drug abuse.

Money Problems- Drugs are expensive.  This applies to someone who doesn't normally borrow money or rarely does and now is always in need of money.  This can show through as well by someone always needing to borrow other consumables such as food, cleaning supplies or hygiene products.  After they run out of money they start running out of other necessities too.

Abusers sometimes need money or other necessities due to lack of money that they may steal from anyone, even a best friend.  The driving force is getting money for more drugs some getting the money is the overriding force.

Changes in Behaviour - These could be a few changes or many.  Sudden or enhanced secretiveness especially surrounding the persons personal space like their bedroom or bathroom.  Also, can show up by the person disappearing for certain periods of time with no explanation or a very weak explanation such as "going for a walk."

Mood swings and outbursts of anger are common as well.  Reason for this could be numerous such as coming down off a high or being high in the first place.  If you question their behaviour this could cause the person to get agitated and defensive.

Specific Changes According to Specific Drug

Depending on the drug someone is doing their behaviour will reflect that specific drug.  All major drugs will cause different behavioural changes in people and the changes are almost universal.  Here is what to look for when trying to determine the specific drug someone may be abusing.

Cocaine and Crack - Both are "uppers" which will give the person much more energy.  The activity level and heart rate will increase which will also make the person sweat and may complain of being hot.  The person will usually talk more overall and at a faster rate.  Abnormal sleep patterns will arise if it's taken at the wrong time such as at night.  This will result in the person staying up all night until the drug is out of their system.

A less obvious sign that someone may be using crack or cocaine is if there is a constant smell of vinegar since using vinegar is the preferred method of cleaning crack pipes.

Crystal Meth - This is a major hallucinogens so the signs would be obvious when talking to the person.  Major signs would be if they are seeing things that are not there usually bugs around or on the person.  Some people may also say that the bugs are in their skin.  Babbling incoherently and about stuff that makes no sense and gibberish.

Crystal meth users may also have open sores or large fresh scabs since when they are high they try to pick the bugs out from under their skin.  Common tools that a meth abusers may have on hand or need is aluminium foil and straws or pen sleeves and pipes.

Acid - LSD or acid is a hallucinogen as well but not a strong as crystal meth.  The hallucinations on acid will be of shifting and changing colours, moving, flashing lights or patterns of light.  The person will begin speaking in very existential terms as though they have gained a much deeper knowledge of the universe.  Another sign is what's called "blending of perceptions" which is that the person can "see" music or "hear" colours.

Heroin - Heroin is a very powerful drug that can change a person in many dramatic ways.  A person high on heroin will be very active with actions and talking.  They will move fast and talk fast.  Once the drug has lost its effect the person will experience a very low period that will usually put the them to sleep for a long time. Heroin is expensive so you may notice the person selling items they own, items going missing, asking others for money or outright stealing from others.

Methadone - Methadone is often used when addicts are quitting other harder drugs.  It's used to lessen or remove the withdrawal symptoms of, for example, cocaine.  The idea being that the strength of the methadone can be lowered over time until eventually methadone can be quit as well.

The problem with methadone is that it is also addictive especially to addicts who have little interest in quitting.  Methadone will get you high and is often abused itself.  People high on methadone will talk faster, move faster and will
                                                                                    also have an obsession to clean.

Continued in part 2...dealing with addicts, quitting, other drugs