Drug use can significantly impact a person’s performance at work or school. Individuals who are using drugs may experience difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation, and a decline in productivity. You can’t control someone else’s choices—but you can pay attention, ask questions, and offer support.

Encouraging them to seek professional help and providing a supportive environment can be instrumental in their journey towards recovery. Maintaining open lines of communication, expressing concern, and seeking professional help are crucial steps to address the impact of drug use on relationships. It’s important to approach the situation with compassion and empathy, understanding that addiction is a complex issue that requires support and understanding. Identifying the physical signs of drug use is an important step in recognizing if someone is struggling with substance abuse. While it’s essential to remember that these signs may vary depending on the type of drug being used, there are some common physical indicators to look out for. However, recovery is a lifelong process that requires commitment and effort from the individual struggling with addiction.

Discuss the positive changes that can come from seeking treatment, such as improved physical and mental health, stronger relationships, and a brighter future. Remind them that they are not alone and that there are resources available to help them navigate the recovery process. If you notice a significant and unexplained decrease in a person’s performance, it may be worth considering the possibility of drug use. However, it’s important to remember that other factors, such as personal issues or health problems, can also contribute to decreased performance.

Recovery Programs

Many people struggling with addiction cannot support healthy relationships because their priority is drug use. They often let drug use get in the way of their relationships with friends, family members, and romantic partners. You can provide them with information on local resources, such as treatment centers or support groups, and offer to assist them in finding the appropriate help. If you believe immediate medical attention is necessary, don’t hesitate to contact emergency services. Remember, professional help and support are how to tell if someone is on drugs essential for addressing drug use effectively and promoting recovery.

Programs → Mental Health

One common physical sign of drug use is bloodshot or dilated eyes. Drugs can affect the blood vessels in the eyes, causing them to appear red and bloodshot. On the other hand, some drugs can cause pupils to become unusually large and dilated. These changes in eye appearance can be observed even in different lighting conditions.

Keep the door open, set clear limits at home, and offer options like a call with a clinician or telehealth. It means drug or alcohol use is causing harm and is hard to stop, even when the person wants to stop. Start with patterns like mood swings, secret phone use, missing money, and a strange smell on clothes. Every aspect of your treatment, medical support, therapy, and holistic practices works together in a unified plan. This integrated approach ensures that all your needs are addressed, providing you with the best foundation for a lasting recovery. Offer support and discuss options, like meeting a therapist, visiting a doctor, or contacting Ready to Evolve Recovery.

Holistic Wellness Support

Taking steps to address this problem may save your loved one’s life. If you believe that your loved one is, in fact, abusing drugs or alcohol, talking to them about getting help is critical. It is currently estimated that about 10% of adults struggle with a substance abuse disorder. Though your loved one may not admit to having a drug problem, it is important to be able to recognize the signs of drug abuse.

• It’s important to approach the situation with care and concern, as drug use can have serious consequences.
• These may also appear on the legs, hands, or sometimes even feet.
• They may also choose to spend more time than usual away from home to hide their use.
• Fentanyl, in particular, poses an extreme overdose risk even in tiny amounts.

The CDC provides critical information on drug overdose prevention that can help save lives. No single sign confirms a problem, but when several symptoms appear together or escalate over time, it’s worth paying attention. If something feels off, it’s appropriate to express concern and offer support.

• If you notice someone exhibiting frequent mood swings or unexplained irritability, it could be a sign of drug use.
• Depending on the drug, it can lead to respiratory issues, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, and more.
• Encourage your loved one to seek professional help and treatment to address the root cause of their emotional distress.
• SUD ranges from mild to severe, all the way to active addiction with an inability to restrict use as well as powerful craving.
• We’ll discuss your concerns, goals, and daily responsibilities to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your life.

Decreased Performance at Work or School

Because of this, it’s important to find the right treatment program for you or your loved one. Yes, drug use can cause a variety of physical health problems. Depending on the drug, it can lead to respiratory issues, heart problems, liver and kidney damage, and more.

Environmental Signs of a Drug Problem

Instead, use active listening skills and ask open-ended questions to encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings. By creating a safe and non-judgmental space, you increase the chances of the person opening up about their situation. Schizoaffective disorder can make someone feel sad one moment and confused the next. It mixes big mood changes with thoughts that don’t always make sense. Outpatient levels like PHP and IOP, plus telehealth, let people get care while keeping their daily duties.

Programs → Addiction Treatment

Being Dishonest or Sneaky, Hiding Things, or Needing Increased Privacy. Most people are not going to be very public about their drug use, especially if it’s to an illegal substance. You may notice your loved one is lying about where they are or who they’re with. Maybe their story keeps changing, and they can never seem to be honest about what they’ve been up to. They may try to sneak in or out of the house, try to hide their drugs in their room or car, and they may spend more time alone in their room with the door locked.

Can drug addiction be treated?

When someone is sliding into addiction, they tend to hang out with people who also use their drug of choice, or use any kind of substance for that matter. Someone may begin to distance themselves from their old friends or loved ones that may try to get them to stop. There is often a direct link between chemical alterations of the brain becoming visible through the eyes. Some drugs will cause redness or bloodshot eyes, while some will alter pupil size. It is important to pay attention to your loved one’s eyes, as that is usually a very telling indicator that they may be using drugs. Avoid being confrontational or judgmental, as this may cause the person to become defensive or shut down.

It’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect that someone is using drugs and experiencing physical health issues. We use a variety of treatments and therapies and individually tailor each plan to our client’s specific needs so that we can provide you with the best possible care. If they have a job or career, you may also notice declining performance in the professional aspects as drug use becomes the number one priority. There may also be no drive to complete work or perform how they once did, especially if work-related stress is what led to substance abuse in the first place.

If you’ve noticed several of these signs someone Is using drugs—especially across categories—it’s time to act. Our compassionate and experienced admissions team is available 24 hours a day, ready to listen and guide you through the next safe and effective steps. Contact us now to get the help you need to support your loved one and start the journey toward health and healing. We’ll discuss your concerns, goals, and daily responsibilities to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your life. If you ever feel worried about someone’s substance use, don’t hesitate to seek professional help immediately. The SAMHSA National Helpline provides free, confidential support 24/7.