ADOLESCENTS AND SUBSTANCE USE

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

 

 

 

BEHAVIOR CHANGE:                                                      Change in school attendance or performance

Mood swings or attitude changes

Withdrawal from responsibilities/family contracts

Association with drug-using peers

Unusual patterns of behavior

Defensive attitude concerning drugs

 

ALCOHOL (beer, wine, liquor):

Smell of alcohol on clothes or breath

Glazed eyes                           Intoxication

Slurred speech                      Unsteady walk                     

Impaired coordination         Relaxed inhibitions

Slowed reflexes                     Hangover

 

MARIJUANA (pot, blunt, dope, grass, weed, herb, hash, joint):

Red eyes                                Use of Visine

Dry mouth                             Increased drowsiness

Impaired coordination         Slurred speech

Euphoria                                Mood swings

Increased laughing              Use of breath mints to

Increased talking                   cover breath

Hunger - increased eating

Excessive use of sunglasses

Reduced concentration

Cologne or perfumes to mask smell

Loss of energy drive and interests

Impaired short-term memory

 

COCAINE (coke, rock, crack, base):

Brief intense euphoria

Restlessness

Excitement

Increased talking

Feeling of well being followed by depression

 

INHALANTS (gas, aerosols, glue, nitrites, Rush, White out):

Odor of substance on clothing and breath

Intoxication                                           Drowsiness

Poor muscle control                             Lack of coordination

Nausea                                                   Dizziness

Headaches

 

HALLUCINOGENS  (acid, LSD, PCP, Ecstasy, mushrooms, peyote):

Altered mood and perceptions          Anxiety

Panic                                                      Nausea

 

NARCOTICS (Heroin-junk, dope, Black tar, China white; Demerol; Dilaudid-D’s: Morphine, Codeine):

Euphoria                                                Drowsiness

Insensitivity to pain                            Nausea

Vomiting                                                Watery eyes

Runny nose                                          Pinpoint pupils

Cold moist skin                                     Needle marks on arms

 

STIMULANTS (speed; uppers, crank, Bam, black beauties, crystal, dexies, caffeine, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines):

Alertness                                               Talkativeness      

Wakefulness                                         Increased blood pressure

Loss of appetite                                   Mood elevation

Loss of sleep                                        Irritability

Anxiety                                                  Weight loss

Hyperactivity       

 

DEPRESSANTS (Barbiturates, Sedatives, Tranquilizers-downers, tranks, ludes, reds, Valium, yellow jackets, alcohol):

Intoxication

Drowsiness

Depressed breathing

Uncoordinated movements

Confused behavior

Longer periods of sleep

Slurred speech

 

 

For more information about Mental Illnesses -

Contact:

The Alliance for the Mentally Ill

NAMI of Greater Chicago

1536 West Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Phone: 312-563-0445