Borgman, D. (1986). Signals of drug use. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

Straight, Inc., a national organization, offers this help to parents, teachers, and friends of those slipping into drug abuse. Watch for these signs:

• School tardiness, truancy, declining grades.
• Less motivation, energy, self-discipline.
• Forgetfulness (short-term or long-term).
• Short attention span, trouble concentrating.
• Anger, hostility, irritability.
• Sullen, uncaring attitudes and behavior.
• Disappearance of money or valuables.
• Changes in friends, evasiveness about new ones.
• Unhealthy appearance, bloodshot eyes.
• Trouble with law in or out of school.
• Pipes, small boxes or containers, baggies, rolling papers, or other unusual items.
• Peculiar odors or butts, seeds, leaves in ashtrays or clothing pockets.

Project 714 in Chattanooga and Nashville suggests some signs that can alert the user of drugs to possible abuse and addiction:

• Growing Preoccupation.
  • Anticipation of drug usage.
  • Keeping track of prescribed times of dosage.
  • Growing number of physical complaints requiring more drugs for relief.
• Growing need during times of stress.
  • Preventive: "It’s going to be a rough day so I’ll take a couple just in case."
  • Minor family, marriage or relationship problems.
  • Emergency situations.
• Growing Rigidity of Lifestyle.
  • Has particular times during day for drug usage: "I cannot get to sleep without a pill."
  • Cannot go anywhere without a supply of medication.
  • Will not tolerate attempts to limit or change time or amounts of medication or drugs.
• Growing Tolerance.
  • Increasing dosage and/or number of drugs.
  • Ingenuity about obtaining the drug without others being aware.
  • Protecting the supply.
• Loss of Control.
  • Larger and more frequent dosage.
  • Continuous dosage (staggering of different pills).
  • Repeated harmful consequences resulting from usage.
  • Blackouts and memory distortion.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Parents, teachers and all who work with young people older than ten years of age should be aware of these signals and stages.
2. Society needs a greater consensus about a proper response to these signals.