If you notice unexplained changes in physical appearance or behavior, it may be a sign of substance use – or it could be a sign of another problem. You will not know definitively until a professional does a screening.


There are a number of signs related to particular substances. These can vary in intensity, depending on level of intoxication.

Signs of Alcohol Intoxication

  • Slurred speech or difficulty expressing a thought intelligibly
  • Lack of coordination, poor balance
  • Can't walk a straight line
  • Can't focus on your eyes
  • Red eyes or flushed face
  • Morning headaches, nausea, weakness, or sweatiness
  • Odor of alcohol on breath or in sweat

Signs of Marijuana Use

  • Bloodshot eyes (or bottles of eye drops to clear up red eyes)
  • Smell in hair or on clothing (sweet, pungent odor)
  • "Munchies" or sudden appetite
  • Wetting lips or excessive thirst (known as "cotton mouth")
  • Burned or sooty fingers (from "joints" or "roaches" burning down)
  • Seeds left in devises used to clean marijuana (Frisbees are a typical tool used for this purpose) or items used as makeshift smoking devices (bongs made out of toilet paper rolls and aluminum foil for example)

Signs of Cocaine Use

  • Jumpy, nervous behavior
  • Restlessness
  • Excessively talkative, rapid speech
  • Pupils dilated (enlarged) in well-lit room
  • Runny nose or bloody nose (no cold or other illness associated)
  • Periods of high energy followed by long sleep or exhaustion

Signs of amphetamine use

  • Unusually elated (manic)
  • Jumpy, shaky hands, restlessness
  • Fast speech, possibly incoherent
  • Poor appetite and/or weight loss
  • Hyperactivity
  • Insomnia
  • Periods of sleeplessness, followed by long periods of "catch up" sleep
  • Poor attention span


Signs of inhalant use

The types of inhalants used might be found in your household, such as glue, paints, paint thinners, White Out, gasoline, and aerosol chemicals. If you notice these items missing from their proper place or suddenly emptied, it could be a sign someone is using these substances.

  • Aggressive or hostile behavior
  • Violent outbursts
  • Moves slowly, as if lethargic ("drugged" appearance)
  • Slurred speech
  • Inability to focus
  • Stupor
  • Lack of coordination
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Trouble moving
  • Unable to speak intelligibly

Source: Join Together