| General: General and specific guides to | | | | |
| detection of alcohol and drug use, and | | | | paraphernalia including small spoons, razor |
| definition of addiction.Contents: | | | | blades, mirror, |
| | | | |
| I. General Guide to Detection | | | | little bottles of white powder and plastic, |
| | | | glass or metal straws.Depressants: Symptoms |
| II. Definition of Addiction | | | | of alcohol intoxication with no alcohol |
| | | | |
| III. Pupil Dilation | | | | odor on breath (remember that depressants |
| | | | are frequently used |
| IV. Signs and Symptoms | | | | |
| | | | with alcohol). Lack of facial expression or |
| V. Paraphernalia a) S/S Chart Version | | | | animation. Flat affect. |
| | | | |
| VI. Drug Facts | | | | Flaccid appearance. Slurred speech. Note: |
| | | | There are few readily |
| VII. Articles and Other Resources | | | | |
| | | | apparent symptoms. Abuse may be indicated by |
| VIII. Drug Pictures/Resources | | | | activities such as |
| | | | |
| IX. NI-COR Topics | | | | frequent visits to different physicians for |
| | | | prescriptions to treat |
| X. Additional Articles (Alcoholism, Drugs, | | | | |
| Teenage Addiction, Interventions) | | | | "nervousness", "anxiety"," stress", |
| | | | etc.Narcotics/Prescription Drugs/Opium/Heroin |
| XI. Overdose and Emergency Intervention | | | | Codeine/ |
| TechniquesI. Specific: General Guide to | | | | |
| Detection | | | | Oxycontin: Lethargy, drowsiness. Constricted |
| | | | pupils fail to respond |
| Abrupt changes in work or school attendance, | | | | |
| quality of work, work output, grades, | | | | to light. Redness and raw nostrils from |
| discipline. | | | | inhaling heroin in power form. |
| | | | |
| Unusual flare-ups or outbreaks of temper. | | | | Scars (tracks) on inner arms or other parts |
| Withdrawal from responsibility. General | | | | of body, from needle injections. |
| changes in overall attitude. Deterioration of | | | | |
| physical appearance and grooming. | | | | Use or possession of paraphernalia, |
| | | | including syringes, bent spoons, |
| Wearing of sunglasses at inappropriate | | | | |
| times. Continual wearing of long-sleeved | | | | bottle caps, eye droppers, rubber tubing, |
| garments particularly in hot weather or | | | | cotton and needles. Slurred |
| reluctance to wear short sleeved attire when | | | | |
| | | | speech. While there may be no readily |
| appropriate. Association with known | | | | apparent symptoms of analgesic |
| substance abusers. Unusual borrowing of money | | | | |
| from friends, co-workers or parents. Stealing | | | | abuse, it may be indicated by frequent |
| small items from employer, home or | | | | visits to different physicians or |
| | | | |
| school. Secretive behavior regarding actions | | | | dentists for prescriptions to treat pain of |
| and possessions; poorly concealed attempts to | | | | non-specific origin. In cases |
| avoid attention and suspicion such as | | | | |
| frequent trips to storage rooms, restroom, | | | | where patient has chronic pain and abuse of |
| basement, etc.II. Specific: DSM-IV Definition | | | | medication is suspected, |
| of Addiction | | | | |
| | | | it may be indicated by amounts and frequency |
| A maladaptive pattern of substance use, | | | | taken.Inhalants: Substance odor on breath and |
| leading to clinically significant impairment | | | | clothes. Runny nose. |
| or distress, as manifested by three (or more) | | | | |
| of the following, occurring at any time in | | | | Watering eyes. Drowsiness or |
| the same 12-month period:(1) Tolerance, as | | | | unconsciousness. Poor muscle control. |
| defined by either of the following:a. A need | | | | |
| for markedly increased amounts of the | | | | Prefers group activity to being alone. |
| substance to achieve intoxication or desired | | | | Presence of bags or rags |
| effect.b. Markedly diminished effect with | | | | |
| continued use of the same amount of the | | | | containing dry plastic cement or other |
| substance.(2) Withdrawal, as manifested by | | | | solvent at home, in locker |
| either of the following:a. The characteristic | | | | |
| withdrawal syndrome for the substanceb. The | | | | at school or at work. Discarded whipped |
| same (or a closely related) substance is | | | | cream, spray paint or |
| taken to relieve or avoid withdrawal | | | | |
| symptoms. (3) The substance is often taken in | | | | similar chargers (users of nitrous oxide). |
| larger amounts or over | | | | Small bottles labeled |
| | | | |
| a longer period than was intended (loss of | | | | "incense" (users of butyl nitrite).Solvents, |
| control).(4) There is a | | | | Aerosols, Glue, Petrol: Nitrous Oxide - |
| | | | laughing gas, whippits, nitrous. |
| persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to | | | | |
| cut down or control | | | | Amyl Nitrate - snappers, poppers, pearlers, |
| | | | rushamies. |
| substance use (loss of control). (5) A great | | | | |
| deal of time is spent | | | | Butyl Nitrate - locker room, bolt, bullet, |
| | | | rush, climax, red gold. Slurred speech, |
| in activities necessary to obtain the | | | | |
| substance, use the substance, | | | | impaired coordination, nausea, vomiting, |
| | | | slowed breathing. Brain damage, |
| or recover from its effects | | | | |
| (preoccupation).(6) Important social, | | | | pains in the chest, muscles, joints, heart |
| | | | trouble, severe depression, fatigue, |
| occupational, or recreational activities are | | | | |
| given up or reduced | | | | loss of appetite, bronchial spasm, sores on |
| | | | nose or mouth, nosebleeds, |
| because of substance use (continuation | | | | |
| despite adverse | | | | diarrhea, bizarre or reckless behavior, |
| | | | sudden death, suffocation.LSD/Hallucinogens: |
| consequences).(7) The substance use is | | | | Extremely dilated pupils, (see note below). |
| continued despite | | | | Warm |
| | | | |
| knowledge of having a persistent or | | | | skin, excessive perspiration and body odor. |
| recurrent physical or | | | | Distorted sense of sight, hearing, |
| | | | |
| psychological problem that is likely to have | | | | touch; distorted image of self and time |
| been caused or | | | | perception. Mood and behavior changes, |
| | | | |
| exacerbated by the substance (adverse | | | | the extent depending on emotional state of |
| consequences).III. Specific: Pupil | | | | the user and environmental conditions |
| DilationBefore you do anything, consider | | | | |
| | | | Unpredictable flashback episodes even long |
| this. There are two trains of thought prior | | | | after withdrawal |
| to detection and | | | | |
| | | | (although these are rare). Hallucinogenic |
| intervention. One thought is to catch and | | | | drugs, which occur both |
| punish, and the | | | | |
| | | | naturally and in synthetic form, distort or |
| other is to identify and help- remember why | | | | disturb sensory input, |
| you are doing | | | | |
| | | | sometimes to a great degree. Hallucinogens |
| this, and the intervention will turn out | | | | occur naturally in |
| much better.Note: A 6mm, 7mm, or 8mm pupil | | | | |
| size could indicate that a person is | | | | primarily two forms, (peyote) cactus and |
| | | | psilocybin mushrooms. |
| under the influence of cocaine, crack, | | | | |
| meth., hallucinogens, crystal, | | | | Several chemical varieties have been |
| | | | synthesized, most notably |
| ecstasy, or other stimulant. A 1mm or 2mm | | | | |
| pupil size could | | | | LSD, MDA , STP, and PCP. Hallucinogen usage |
| | | | reached a peak |
| indicate a person under the influence of | | | | |
| heroin, opiates, or other | | | | in the United States in the late 1960's, but |
| | | | declined shortly |
| depressant. A pupil close to pinpoint could | | | | |
| indicate use. | | | | thereafter due to a broader awareness of the |
| | | | detrimental effects |
| A pupil completely dilated could indicate | | | | |
| use. | | | | of usage. However, a disturbing trend |
| | | | indicating a resurgence in |
| Blown out wide pupils are indicative of | | | | |
| crack, methamphetamine, cocaine, stimulant | | | | hallucinogen usage by high-school and |
| use. Pinpoint pupils are indicative of | | | | college age persons |
| heroin, opiate, depressant use. (Click this | | | | |
| link for pictures)Other causes of pupil | | | | nationwide has been acknowledged by law |
| dilationIV. Specific: Signs and | | | | enforcement. With the |
| SymptomsAlcohol: Odor on the breath. | | | | |
| Intoxication. Difficulty focusing: glazed | | | | exception of PCP, all hallucinogens seem to |
| | | | share common effects |
| appearance of the eyes. Uncharacteristically | | | | |
| passive behavior; or combative | | | | of use. Any portion of sensory perceptions |
| | | | may be altered to varying |
| and argumentative behavior. Gradual (or | | | | |
| sudden in adolescents) deterioration | | | | degrees. Synesthesia, or the "seeing" of |
| | | | sounds, and the "hearing" of |
| in personal appearance and hygiene. Gradual | | | | |
| development of dysfunction, | | | | colors, is a common side effect of |
| | | | hallucinogen use. Depersonalization, |
| especially in job performance or school | | | | |
| work. Absenteeism (particularly on | | | | acute anxiety, and acute depression |
| | | | resulting in suicide have also been |
| Monday). Unexplained bruises and accidents. | | | | |
| Irritability. Flushed skin. | | | | noted as a result of hallucinogen use. Note: |
| | | | there are some forms of |
| Loss of memory (blackouts). Availability and | | | | |
| consumption of alcohol | | | | hallucinogens that are considered downers |
| | | | and constrict pupil diameters.PCP: |
| becomes the focus of social or professional | | | | Unpredictable behavior; mood may swing from |
| activities. Changes in | | | | passiveness to |
| | | | |
| peer-group associations and friendships. | | | | violence for no apparent reason. Symptoms of |
| Impaired interpersonal | | | | intoxication. Disorientation; |
| | | | |
| relationships (troubled marriage, | | | | agitation and violence if exposed to |
| unexplainable termination of | | | | excessive sensory stimulation. Fear, |
| | | | |
| deep relationships, alienation from close | | | | terror. Rigid muscles. Strange gait. |
| family members).Marijuana/Pot: Rapid, loud | | | | Deadened sensory perception |
| talking and bursts of laughter in | | | | |
| | | | (may experience severe injuries while |
| early stages of intoxication. Sleepy or | | | | appearing not to notice). |
| stuporous in the later stages. | | | | |
| | | | Pupils may appear dilated. Mask like facial |
| Forgetfulness in conversation. Inflammation | | | | appearance. Floating |
| in whites of eyes; pupils | | | | |
| | | | pupils, appear to follow a moving object. |
| unlikely to be dilated. Odor similar to | | | | Comatose (unresponsive) |
| burnt rope on clothing or breath. | | | | |
| | | | if large amount consumed. Eyes may be open |
| Tendency to drive slowly - below speed | | | | or closed.Ecstasy: Confusion, depression, |
| limit. Distorted sense of time passage - | | | | headaches, dizziness (from |
| tendency to overestimate time intervals. Use | | | | |
| or possession of paraphernalia including | | | | hangover/after effects), muscle tension, |
| roach clip, packs of rolling papers,pipes or | | | | panic attacks, paranoia, |
| bongs. Marijuana users are difficult to | | | | |
| recognize unless they are | | | | possession of pacifiers (used to stop jaw |
| | | | clenching), lollipops, |
| under the influence of the drug at the time | | | | |
| of observation. Casual users | | | | candy necklaces, mentholated vapor rub, |
| | | | severe anxiety, sore |
| may show none of the general symptoms. | | | | |
| Marijuana does have a distinct | | | | jaw (from clenching teeth after effects), |
| | | | vomiting or nausea |
| odor and may be the same color or a bit | | | | |
| greener than tobacco.Cocaine/Crack | | | | (from hangover/after effects) |
| Methamphetamines/Stimulants: Extremely | | | | |
| dilated | | | | Signs that your teen could be high on |
| | | | Ecstasy: Blurred vision, |
| pupils. Dry mouth and nose, bad breath, | | | | |
| frequent lip licking. Excessive | | | | rapid eye movement, pupil dilation, chills |
| | | | or sweating, high body |
| activity, difficulty sitting still, lack of | | | | |
| interest in food or sleep. Irritable, | | | | temperature, sweating profusely, dehydrated, |
| | | | confusion, faintness, |
| argumentative, nervous. Talkative, but | | | | |
| conversation often lacks | | | | paranoia or severe anxiety, trance-like |
| | | | state, transfixed on sites and |
| continuity; changes subjects rapidly. Runny | | | | |
| nose, cold or chronic | | | | sounds, unconscious clenching of the jaw, |
| | | | grinding teeth, very |
| sinus/nasal problems, nose bleeds. Use or | | | | |
| possession of | | | | affectionate.V. |