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Signs and Symptoms of ( possible !) Substance Use in Students. Sometimes a change in attitude or behavior may cause us to question whether or not someone we care about might be using mood or mind-altering substances (marijuana, alcohol, hard drugs, etc.).
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Sometimes a change in attitude or behavior may cause us to question whether or not someone we care about might be using mood or mind-altering substances (marijuana, alcohol, hard drugs, etc.). The following pages contain some of the traditional “red flag” signs and symptoms associated with substance use and abuse.
Physical signs • Smell of alcohol, marijuana, other • Avoidance of eye contact • Glassy or bloodshot eyes • Dilated or constricted pupils • Unsteady gait or lack of coordination • Slurred, rapid, or incoherent speech • Staring or looking vacant • Drastic weight loss or gain • Sloppiness in appearance
Emotional signs • Appearing depressed • Becoming withdrawn or unwilling to communicate • Change in friends or social activities • Unexplainable mood swings and behavior • Not seeming to be as happy as they used to • Disoriented in time • Overly tired or hyperactive • Being unusually confused or fearful • Negative, argumentative, paranoid, anxious
School-specific signs • Sudden drop in grades • Truancy • Loss of interest in learning • Sleeping in class • Poor work performance • Not doing homework • Defiant of authority • Poor attitude towards sports or other extracurricular activities • Reduced memory and attention span
Please note!This list is meant to inform and describe: not “diagnose”.The presence of one or two signs is not proof that substance use is an issue. Please contact a professional for more information and help.
Resources for Students and Families • District Drug Prevention Coordinator, Sam Moore (541 440 4098) • Adapt, Adolescent Treatment Services (541 672 2691) • Personal physician or care provider