Behavioral signs
- Isolation and secretive behavior
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Eats a lot more or a lot less than usual
- Moodiness, irritability, nervousness, giddiness
- Emotionally erratic: quickly changes between feeling bad and good
- Seems tired, sad or nervous, cranky – or unusually energetic
- Talks fast, says things that don't make sense
- Sleeps at strange hours
- Misses important appointments
- Neglects personal hygiene
- Change in attitude/personality
- Avoiding contact with family
- Change in friends, new hangouts
- Drop in grades or work performance
- Stealing
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts out of season (to cover needle marks)
Physical signs of heroin use
- Pupils of eyes are small, pinpoints
- Decreased respiration rate
- Sleepy or non-responsive
- No appetite
- Intense flu-like symptoms: nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking of hands, feet, or head
Warning signs of drug use
- Missing medications
- Burnt or missing spoons or bottle caps
- Syringes
- Small bags with powder residue
- Missing shoe laces or belts
Risk factors for addiction
- Genetic – Person with family member who has addiction is at greater risk.
- Environmental – Parents not involved with children, peer use, social settings.
- Early use – More likely to develop addiction if use starts when young.
- Smoking or injecting – More addictive because drug passes directly into bloodstream and brain without being filtered through liver and other organs.
Concerned about a loved one? Contact CSB Entry & Referral at 703-383-8500 during business hours. 24/7 help is available – call the Fairfax Detoxification Center at 703-502-7000 or CSB Emergency Services at 703-573-5679.
In a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
