Trying to figure out if your loved one is using drugs can be stressful. Confrontation often leads to denial, anger and guilt trips - leaving you more confused than ever. Signs of use can vary depending on their drug of choice, but there are several behaviors that many drug users exhibit.
Different sleep patterns: If your loved one is sleeping a lot more or a lot less than he or she used to, it can be a red flag. Whether the sleep is increased or decreased depends on the drug being taken. A change in sleep patterns can also signal illness or depression, but when combined with other signs it could point to drugs.
Money troubles: Financial problems go hand-in-hand with drug use. Your loved one may stop paying bills on time, seem preoccupied with money, or start borrowing from friends and family. If you are frequently asked for cash and you don't see where it is being spent, its possible it is going to drugs. In addition, if your loved one frequently asks you to cover bills that you know he or she makes enough to pay, it could be that the paycheck is supporting a drug habit.
Dishonesty: Whether you are dealing with your loved one's constant lies or he or she has frequent brushes with the law for things like shoplifting, dishonesty is a typical component of drug use. Not all drug users get into legal trouble, but many drug users lie to hide their activities.
Time lapses: If your loved one frequently says he or she will be gone 10 minutes-running to some place like a store but is gone for several hours, drug use might be the reason. Calling every 30 minutes to let you know it won't be much longer may be a stall tactic while drugs are being sought or used. Once he or she gets back, there will be many excuses, stories and reasons for the lengthy delay.
Drug equipment: Different drugs need different tools. If you are finding shortened plastic straws, razor blades, ink pens with the insides removed, small pipes, soda cans that are cut in half, corner pieces of baggies with the ends knotted or burnt, small pieces of metal scouring pads, cellophane from cigarette packages, spoons with the underside burned and the handle bent or pieces of aluminum foil, these are some commonly used tools for various drugs. In addition, cigarette filters cut in half as well as syringes indicate possible drug issue.