Someone who’s high may give off several telltale signs. The best way to know for sure is to ask the loved one directly. If their answer is “no,” but he or she has a history of drug use, you may be able to draw your own conclusion.
The best way to tell is by using your senses. Here are five signs that someone may be under the influence of drugs:
The Nose Knows
If you smell alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, that may tell you all you need to know. These odors often linger on the person’s breath, clothing or hair. The individual may try to disguise the smell of drug use with breath mints, air freshener or cologne.
Hands Down
Tremors of the hands may indicate the use of club drugs, such as Molly or ketamine, or hallucinogens, including LSD. Sweaty palms or skin are a common side effect of hallucinogen and opioid use, as well.
Scratch and Sniff
Someone who’s high on opioids or stimulants may scratch at their skin, causing sores. Injecting these drugs will leave needle marks, called tracks, while snorting drugs can cause a raw, runny or bloody nose.
The Eyes Have It
The appearance of the person’s eyes holds a clue. Dilated pupils can be a sign someone is high on marijuana, hallucinogens or stimulants. Narcotics, on the other hand, cause the pupils to constrict.
If the person has been smoking drugs, such as pot, cocaine or heroin, their eyes may appear glassy, watery and bloodshot. Rapid, involuntary movements of the eyes, called nystagmus, are another sign of intoxication on drugs, as well as alcohol.
Listen up
Being high typically causes a person’s speech patterns to change. Meth, cocaine and other stimulants will cause rapid, often incessant talking, while marijuana induces slow, slurred speech.
Many medical and physical conditions can cause the symptoms described above. The key to determining whether some is high is context. Paraphernalia such as needles, bent spoons, pipes, rolling papers or roach clips are clear indications of drug use. Sudden, unexplained changes in one’s behavior or energy level are signs, as well.
