Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission

Signs & Symptoms

Warning Signs of Alcohol Abuse

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you may have a problem with alcohol:

●    Do you drink alone when you feel angry or sad?

●    Does your drinking every make you late for work?

●    Does your drinking worry your family?

●   Do you ever drink after telling yourself you won't?

●    Do you ever forget what you did while drinking?

●   Do you get headaches or have a hangover after drinking?

Click the link above for an alcohol screening.

Behavior characteristics associated with substance abuse include abrupt changes in work or school attendance; quality of work or school output; changes in grades; withdrawal from responsibility; changes in overall attitude; deterioration of physical appearance and grooming; wearing sunglasses at inappropriate times; wearing long sleeved garments at inappropriate times, especially in hot weather; association with known substance abusers; borrowing money; stealing from home or school; and secretive behaviors.

Signs of alcohol abuse include odor on the breath; intoxication; glazed appearance of the eyes; uncharacteristic passive or combative behavior; gradual (sudden in adolescents) deterioration in personal appearance or hygiene; gradual development of dysfunction in job or school performance; absenteeism (especially on Monday); unexplained bruises or accidents; flushed skin; loss of memory/blackouts; availability and consumption of alcohol is the focus of social/professional activities; changes in peer group and friendships; impaired personal relationships.

Symptoms of Marijuana use include loud or rapid speech and bursts of laughter; sleepy or stuperous behavior; forgetfulness; inflammation of the whites of the eyes or dilated pupils; odor similar to burnt rope on the breath or clothing; tendency to drive slowly; distorted sense of time passage; use or possession of paraphernalia such as roach clips, packs of rolling papers, pipes, or bongs. Note: Marijuana users are difficult to recognize unless they are under the influence when observed. Casual users may show none of the general symptoms.

Symptoms of narcotic (Heroin, Methadone, Opium, Dilauded, Codeine, Morphine) use include lethargy/drowsiness; constricted pupils that fail to respond to light; redness or raw nostrils from inhaling Heroin in powder form; scars or tracks on inner arms or other parts of the body; use/possession of drug paraphernalia such as syringes, bent spoons, bottle caps, eye droppers, rubber tubing, cotton and needles; slurred speech.

Symptoms of stimulant use include dilated pupils; dry mouth and nose; bad breath; frequent lip licking; excessive activity/difficulty sitting still; lack of interest in food or sleep; irritable/argumentative/nervous; talkative; runny nose/nose bleed or nasal/sinus problems; use/possession of small spoons, razor blades, mirror, or plastic/glass or metal straws.

Symptoms of LSD/Mescaline use include extremely dilated pupils; warm skin/excessive perspiration or body odor; distorted sense of sight, hearing, touch and image of self and time perception; mood/behavior changes; unpredictable flashback episodes.

Symptoms of inhalant use (i.e., glue, vapor producing solvents, propellants) include substance odor on the breath or clothing; sunny nose; watery eyes; drowsiness/unconsciousness; poor muscle control; prefers group activity to being alone; presence of bags or rags containing dry plastic cement or other solvents; discarded whipped cream, spray paint or similar chargers; small bottles labeled "incense. Some commonly used inhalants are model cement, cooking sprays, hair spray, spray deodorant, liquid paper, paint and paint thinner, gasoline. Inhalants are used by spraying or pouring substance onto a rag which is placed in a bag, then placed over the face to inhale the vapors. Effects can include severe headaches, nausea, fainting, increased heart rate and vomiting. Other effects can be lung or kidney damage, suffocation or stroke.

Symptoms of Cocaine use include constricted peripheral blood vessels; dilated pupils; increased temperature, heart rate and blood pressure; aggressive or paranoid behavior.

As the baby boom generation ages, it is expected that the number of older adults receiving substance abuse treatment will almost double, because this generation has higher rates of lifetime alcohol and drug abuse than did the previous generation.

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2875 Northwind Dr., Ste. 215 * East Lansing, Michigan * 48823 * (517) 337-4406